Special Education Teachers, Preschool salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Special Education Teachers, Preschool in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $46,630 a year, based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,210 for the top 10%. That is 28% lower than the national median of $64,830. Pay here is 23% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $60,180. There are 0.17 special education teachers, preschool per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $48,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for special education teachers, preschool in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,820 |
| 25th percentile | $37,820 |
| Median | $46,630 |
| 75th percentile | $56,770 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,210 |
| Average (mean) | $48,460 |
Half of special education teachers, preschool earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,885.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,942.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,793.46 |
| Weekly | $896.73 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because special education teachers, preschool are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $46,630 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Special Education Teachers, Preschool salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $63,670 | 110 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $62,300 | 200 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $61,710 | 70 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $57,760 | n/a |
Highest-paying states for special education teachers, preschool
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $99,070 |
| New Jersey | $92,060 |
| Connecticut | $87,960 |
| Washington | $86,580 |
| Maryland | $85,010 |
| Pennsylvania | $83,510 |
| Alaska | $80,390 |
| Vermont | $79,000 |
| Colorado | $78,040 |
| Virginia | $77,570 |
See Special Education Teachers, Preschool pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-2051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a special education teachers, preschool make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for special education teachers, preschool in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $46,630 a year. Pay ranges from $37,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special education teachers, preschool make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of special education teachers, preschool in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $61,210 a year. The top 25% earn $56,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for special education teachers, preschool in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,820 a year, and a quarter of special education teachers, preschool earn $37,820 or less.
How many special education teachers, preschool work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 60 special education teachers, preschool are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.