Special Education Teachers, Secondary School Salary
The median pay for a special education teachers, secondary school in North Carolina is $56,770/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $71K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.66), which stretches that salary to about $61,267 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,284/month, about 33.8% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Carolina. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $57K get you in North Carolina?
About special education teachers, secondary schools
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What this looks like in North Carolina
Pay for special education teachers, secondary school in North Carolina runs about 24% below the U.S. median of $74K. Rent runs $1,284/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 34.2% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.66 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, North Carolina
Entry-level special education teachers, secondary schools (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $57K. Top earners bring in $71K or more, a $25K spread from bottom to top.
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary by metro in North Carolina
10 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | $65K | +14% | 110 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $60K | +6% | 1,070 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $58K | +3% | 250 |
| Greensboro-High Point | $57K | -0% | 360 |
| Asheville | $55K | -2% | 50 |
| Rocky Mount | $55K | -3% | 40 |
| Raleigh-Cary | $53K | -6% | 510 |
| Fayetteville | $53K | -6% | 140 |
| Wilmington | $52K | -9% | 120 |
| Winston-Salem | $51K | -10% | 170 |
Compare to other states
Track special education teachers, secondary school salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Carolina numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a special education teachers, secondary school afford a 2BR apartment alone in North Carolina?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $57K, rent takes 34.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,284/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,100/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for special education teachers, secondary schools in North Carolina?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new special education teachers, secondary schools typically earn — is $45K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,712/month. At HUD’s $1,284/month FMR, rent would take 47% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is special education teachers, secondary school a high-paying job in North Carolina?
Local pay runs 24% below the national median — $57K here vs. $74K nationally. Cost of living is 7% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does North Carolina compare to the national average for special education teachers, secondary schools?
North Carolina pays $57K median vs. the U.S. average of $74K — that’s -24%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.66), the purchasing-power equivalent is $61K — below the national median.
How much do special education teachers, secondary schools make in North Carolina?
The median is $56,770 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $45,200, and experienced special education teachers, secondary schools can clear $70,600. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $57K enough to live in North Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,758/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,284/month, which eats 34.2% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a special education teachers, secondary school salary go in North Carolina?
North Carolina has a Regional Price Parity of 92.66 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median special education teachers, secondary school salary is worth about $61,267 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do special education teachers, secondary schools get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.