North Carolina falls to 43rd in teacher pay according to a new report. An NC bill and CMS-approved raises aim to boost salaries and keep educators in the state.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. โ North Carolina teachersย are among the lowest paid in the country, and according to a new national report.
The National Education Association (NEA) has released updated rankings showing North Carolina now ranks 43rd in the nation for average teacher pay, down five spots from last year.ย
The state also ranks 39th for starting teacher salaries, highlighting growing concerns among educators and lawmakers.
The report shows the average starting salary for new teachers in North Carolina is $42,542, while the average salary across all teachers statewide is $58,292.ย
That figure is just below the state’s calculated minimum living wage of $58,411, meaning many educators are struggling to make ends meet.
Gov. Josh Stein didnโt mince words in his recent State of the State address, calling the stateโs current teacher pay levels โan embarrassment.โ
But the concerning numbers come at a time when both Democrats and Republicans in the North Carolina legislature are working to address the issue.
A bipartisan bill, House Bill 192, aims to provide significant pay increases for educators across the state.
If passed, the bill would give educators raises up to $12,280.
Teacher starting pay would increase to $50,000 with even higher salaries for teachers who have more than 25 years of experience and hold masterโs degrees.
Locally, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) board just voted to raise the districtโs minimum wage, while also approving a 3% salary increase for all staff and a 5% increase in teacher pay supplements.ย
The move is part of a broader effort to improve compensation and retain educators in the district, which is one of the largest in the state.
Meanwhile, South Carolina, now ranked 36th nationally for teacher pay, is also moving forward with pay reform. Lawmakers there are considering a bill that would base starting teacher salaries on prior job experience, not just education credentials.ย
That proposal has already passed the state Senate and awaits a vote in the House.
Contact Destiny Richards at drichards5@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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