Understanding Teacher Pay

Although the most recent state base teacher salary schedule runs from $41,000 to $55,950, the average salary in North Carolina is $60,984 for 2025–26. Through additional state bonuses and supplements, teachers may earn anywhere from the state minimum of $41,000 to more than $100,000, plus benefits.

Local Salary Supplements

In North Carolina, the state pays a teacher’s base salary according to a statewide pay schedule, and the local school district can provide an additional local supplement. This salary structure is unique compared with many other states, where most teachers are paid on schedules set by their local school districts, even if the state contributes or sets certain minimums.

In the 2025–26 school year, local supplements ranged from $0 in Graham County to $11,612 in Chapel Hill/Carrboro City Schools. Each local school board has full discretion over this supplement and may choose to provide a flat amount or set another structure tied to experience or professional degrees. They can also offer other funding opportunities outside of the salary schedule. Local funds generally offset cost-of-living differences across the state (see BEST NC’s 2025 Teacher Pay in North Carolina report, pages 15–16).

State Salary Supplements

Variation in local salary supplements can influence teacher mobility, with some educators choosing to work in neighboring districts that offer a higher local supplement. To help address disparities in local tax capacity, the state established the Teacher Salary Supplement Allotment for districts with smaller tax bases to use at their discretion. In practice, few districts use this money to strategically staff hard-to-fill positions; instead, most districts divide the funding equally between all teachers in the district, diluting its potential to retain or recruit educators strategically.

Additional State-Funded Pay

• National Board Certified Teachers earn an additional 12% on top of state base pay.
• Highly Qualified NC Teaching Graduates (those with high academic honors) can move up the pay schedule faster, particularly if they teach in a low-performing school, a STEM, or an exceptional children position.
• Advanced Teaching Roles™ teachers (Adult Leadership or Classroom Excellence) can earn:
  • $10,000 for Adult Leadership Teacher (up to $21,000 with local supplements); or
  • $3,000 for Classroom Excellence Teacher (up to $7,000 with local supplements).

State-Funded Bonuses

• Low-Wealth/Small County Bonus provides up to $1,000 from the state with 1:1 matching funds from the local district.
• Reading and Math Bonuses:
  • 3rd Grade Reading: Teachers in the top 25% of EVAAS scores in the district or state are eligible to earn these bonuses. They may receive both if they qualify. The amount varies year to year, but cannot exceed $3,500/year from each source (district and/or state).
  • 4th–8th Grade Math, 4th & 5th Grade Reading: $2,000 to each teacher whose EVAAS scores are in the top 25% of the state or district.
• High School Achievement
  • $50 per student who passes AP/IB/Cambridge Exams, up to $3,500.
  • $25 or $50 per student achieving an industry-recognized credential through CTE coursework. Each teacher for a course contributing to this credential is eligible, up to $3,500 per teacher.