Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary in North Carolina
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in North Carolina earn a median of $56,770 a year, based on BLS data for 3,400 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,600 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $74,260. North Carolina ranks 47th of 51 states for special education teachers, secondary school pay. There are 0.69 special education teachers, secondary school per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65). The average (mean) salary is $55,540, close to the median.
Pay range for special education teachers, secondary school in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,200 |
| 25th percentile | $47,450 |
| Median | $56,770 |
| 75th percentile | $61,100 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,600 |
| Average (mean) | $55,540 |
Half of special education teachers, secondary school 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 | $4,730.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,365.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,183.46 |
| Weekly | $1,091.73 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because special education teachers, secondary school 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 $56,770 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, Secondary School salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $77,500 | 850 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $64,630 | 110 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $60,070 | 1,070 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $58,490 | 250 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $56,660 | 360 |
| Asheville, NC | $55,490 | 50 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $54,910 | 40 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $53,140 | 510 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $53,100 | 140 |
| Wilmington, NC | $51,710 | 120 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $50,820 | 170 |
Highest-paying states for special education teachers, secondary school
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $101,120 |
| California | $101,060 |
| District of Columbia | $99,670 |
| Maryland | $93,530 |
| Rhode Island | $92,990 |
| New York | $89,310 |
| Massachusetts | $83,890 |
| New Jersey | $83,770 |
| Connecticut | $81,710 |
| Alaska | $80,580 |
See Special Education Teachers, Secondary School 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 25-2058. 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, secondary school make in North Carolina?
The median salary for special education teachers, secondary school in North Carolina is $56,770 a year. Pay ranges from $45,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special education teachers, secondary school make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of special education teachers, secondary school in North Carolina earn at least $70,600 a year. The top 25% earn $61,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for special education teachers, secondary school in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,200 a year, and a quarter of special education teachers, secondary school earn $47,450 or less.
How many special education teachers, secondary school work in North Carolina?
About 3,400 special education teachers, secondary school are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.