Special Education Teachers, Preschool salary in North Carolina
Special Education Teachers, Preschool in North Carolina earn a median of $60,180 a year, based on BLS data for 640 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,780 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $64,830. North Carolina ranks 27th of 45 states for special education teachers, preschool pay. There are 0.13 special education teachers, preschool per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.68). The average (mean) salary is $59,310, close to the median.
Pay range for special education teachers, preschool in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,300 |
| 25th percentile | $48,370 |
| Median | $60,180 |
| 75th percentile | $68,840 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,780 |
| Average (mean) | $59,310 |
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 | $5,015 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,507.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,314.62 |
| Weekly | $1,157.31 |
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 $60,180 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 cities in North Carolina
| 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 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $46,630 | 60 |
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.
Related jobs in North Carolina
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for special education teachers, preschool in North Carolina is $60,180 a year. Pay ranges from $42,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special education teachers, preschool make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of special education teachers, preschool in North Carolina earn at least $73,780 a year. The top 25% earn $68,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for special education teachers, preschool in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,300 a year, and a quarter of special education teachers, preschool earn $48,370 or less.
How many special education teachers, preschool work in North Carolina?
About 640 special education teachers, preschool are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.