Salaries › Special Education Teacher › North Carolina
Special Education Teacher Salary in North Carolina (2026)
— per hour · take-home ≈ $47,176/year ($3,931/month) for a single filer
North Carolina ranks 42nd of 51 states for Special Education Teacher pay, with a median about 18% below the national average. Of the 4,430 Special Education Teacher jobs BLS counts in North Carolina, the typical worker earns $58,260 a year — though pay ranges from $44,720 for newcomers to $73,990 at the top.
Special Education Teacher pay range in North Carolina
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $44,720 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $48,500 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $58,260 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $61,430 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $73,990 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 4,430 Special Education Teacher jobs in North Carolina (occupation code 25-2052, “Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School”).
Gross vs. take-home in North Carolina
A median Special Education Teacher salary of $58,260 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus North Carolina state income tax, a single filer keeps about $47,176 — an effective tax rate of 19.0%.
| Gross (median) | $58,260 |
| Federal income tax | −$4,811 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$4,457 |
| North Carolina state income tax | −$1,816 |
| Take-home (annual) | $47,176 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,931 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free North Carolina paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Special Education Teacher make in North Carolina?
- The median Special Education Teacher salary in North Carolina is $58,260 per year (— per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $48,500 and $61,430.
- What is the take-home pay for a Special Education Teacher in North Carolina?
- On the median salary of $58,260, a single filer in North Carolina takes home about $47,176 per year ($3,931 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 19.0%.
- How many Special Education Teacher jobs are there in North Carolina?
- BLS counts 4,430 Special Education Teacher jobs in North Carolina in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Special Education Teachers
Other salaries in North Carolina
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified North Carolina state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for North Carolina.