Secondary School Teachers in North Carolina. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Secondary school teachers in North Carolina earned a median annual wage of $54,890 in 2024, roughly 24% below the national median of $72,150. That is one of the wider state-to-national gaps we see for this occupation across the country.
The spread between top and bottom earners is narrower than in most professions. The 10th percentile came in at $39,930, and the 90th at $63,530. That gap of about $23,600 reflects how teacher pay in North Carolina runs through a structured salary schedule rather than individual negotiation. A career of 20 years may add modestly to base pay, but it will not close the distance to the national figure.
North Carolina's cost of living runs about 5% below the national average, based on a composite index of 95. Adjusting for that, the effective purchasing power of the $54,890 median sits closer to $57,800 in national-baseline dollars. That narrows the gap with the national median, but does not close it.
BLS projects employment for secondary school teachers nationally to decline by 1.6% between 2024 and 2034, placing the occupation in the decline category. North Carolina's current total of 32,260 employed teachers reflects a large public school system, but if the national trend holds here the headcount will likely drift downward over that window.
Salary distribution
Where North Carolina secondary school teachers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $47,760 and $60,740, with a median of $57,650.
Secondary School Teachers in North Carolina: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 218 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $48,995. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 148 | $46,110 |
| Level II — qualified | 28 | $52,894 |
| Level III — experienced | 20 | $54,442 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 20 | $60,372 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Secondary School Teachers in North Carolina. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nash County Board of Education | High School Math Teacher | 21 | $44,747 |
| Triad Math and Science Academy Co. | High School Science Teacher | 21 | $56,000 |
| Iredell-Statesville Schools | Math Teacher | 14 | $46,110 |
| Halifax County Schools | Math Teacher | 12 | $48,895 |
| Vance County Schools | Teacher | 11 | $51,160 |
| Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 9-12 Math Teacher | 9 | $46,110 |
| Healthy Start Education, Inc. | High School English Teacher | 8 | $64,850 |
| Vance County Public Schools | Teacher | 8 | $41,960 |
| Hertford County Schools | High School Career Technical Education Teacher | 7 | $42,230 |
| Alpha Academy | English Teacher | 6 | $41,450 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- High School Math Teacher at Nash County Board of Education$53,200Rocky MountWage Level IVDecided Mar 30, 2026I-200-26082-722310
- High School Teacher at Henderson Collegiate, Inc.$41,440HendersonWage Level IDecided Mar 30, 2026I-200-26082-722449
- 9-12 Math Teacher at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools$45,550CharlotteWage Level IDecided Mar 24, 2026I-200-26076-709099
- Teacher at Weldon City Schools$41,770WeldonWage Level IDecided Mar 20, 2026I-200-26072-702352
- Teacher at ANSON COUNTY SCHOOLS$45,550WadesboroWage Level IDecided Mar 20, 2026I-200-26073-703716
- High School Classroom Teacher at Wilkes County Public Schools Superintendent$51,593Millers CreekWage Level IIIDecided Mar 17, 2026I-200-26069-693007
- High School ESL Teacher at Wilkes County Public Schools Superintendent$51,593Millers CreekWage Level IIIDecided Mar 17, 2026I-200-26069-693521
- High School ESL Teacher at Wilkes County Public Schools Superintendent$51,593Millers CreekWage Level IIIDecided Mar 17, 2026I-200-26069-693068
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Secondary School Teachers pay by experience level in North Carolina
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Secondary School Teachers specialties in North Carolina
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 169 certified offers. The most common variant is Teacher at a median of $44,080.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher | Vance County Schools | 55 | $44,080 |
| Math Teacher | Iredell-Statesville Schools | 24 | $46,110 |
| High School Science Teacher | Triad Math and Science Academy Co. | 18 | $53,485 |
| High School Math Teacher | Nash County Board of Education | 17 | $52,894 |
| High School English Teacher | Nash County Board of Education | 9 | $44,747 |
| Spanish Teacher | Cardinal Gibbons High School | 9 | $58,876 |
| High School Spanish Teacher | Wake County Board of Education | 8 | $55,089 |
| English Teacher | Alpha Academy | 7 | $46,630 |
| High School Teacher | Henderson Collegiate, Inc. | 7 | $41,960 |
| Mathematics Teacher | Alpha Academy | 6 | $53,880 |
| English Language Arts Teacher | Warren County Schools | 5 | $53,880 |
| High School Mathematics Teacher | Hertford County Schools | 4 | $52,520 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in North Carolina over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
Internship/residency
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.5 / 5
Education and Training
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.1 / 5
Instructing
Technical
- 4.1 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Learning Strategies
Cross-functional
- 4.0 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
- 02
Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
- 03
Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students.
- 04
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
- 05
Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- 06
Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
- 07
Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- 08
Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
-1.6%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Declining
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Metro-level salary data for secondary school teachers in major North Carolina metropolitan areas.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Secondary School Teachers in North Carolina?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Secondary School Teachers in North Carolina is $57,650.
- How does North Carolina compare to the national median for Secondary School Teachers?
- The North Carolina median is -22.7% versus the BLS national figure of $74,587.
- What is the salary range for Secondary School Teachers in North Carolina?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $45,430 and the 90th-percentile at $64,460, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Secondary School Teachers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment declining by -1.6% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Secondary School Teachers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.