How Much Does a High School Teacher Make in North Carolina in 2023?

High school teachers work with students who are readying for independence. Teens can delve deeper into subjects and examine questions critically and logically. It’s an exciting age to teach. If you’ve considered teaching high school in North Carolina, there’s never been a better time. The teaching shortage has left the state desperate for qualified educators.

The average high school teacher salary in North Carolina as of May 2022 was $51,570. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on the city and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession.

In this guide, Teachers of Tomorrow highlights the high school salaries in North Carolina. We’ll also explain the steps to the various pathways to becoming a high school teacher, including alternative teacher certification options.

Teacher studying school books in class

What Is a High School Teacher?

North Carolina high school teachers work with students in grades 9-12 who are typically between the ages of 14 and 18. High school teachers instruct in their area(s) of concentration, such as:

English
Mathematics
Music
Chemistry
Biology
History

High school teachers create lesson plans that will meet the academic standards of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) for their particular subject and grade level. In addition, educators must help guide and support students as they try to meet their goals and plan for the future.

High school teachers are as individual and unique as their students. However, there are skills that all excellent educators share:

Time management: High school is hectic, and curriculums are growing. Time management is crucial in ensuring students are equipped with all the necessary knowledge while fitting in their extra curricular activities and other commitments.
Communication: High school can be a stressful and anxious time in students’ lives as they try to figure out which path they’ll take as they prepare to step into adulthood. Educators must be able to communicate clearly with their learners, guardians, and colleagues to ensure students have the support they need to make the best choices for themselves.
Teamwork: Successfully inspiring and helping students reach their goals cannot be done alone. Excellent teachers ensure they are working with their colleagues, students’ parents, and community members to ensure they can meet their students’ needs.

High school teachers have many responsibilities, including the following:

Teaching the course material and providing extra support when required to help students reach their educational goals.
Preparing students for exams and tests required to enter college, military, or higher training.
Guiding students on future careers and high educational opportunities.

How Much Do High School Teachers Make in North Carolina?

The average annual salaries for high school teachers in North Carolina as of May 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

Highest salary – $62,000
Average salary – $50,570
Lowest salary – $38,650

High school teaching salaries in North Carolina vary depending on the district and the teacher’s years of experience, skill level, and if they have advanced degrees, such as a master’s.

high school teacher north carolina

How To Become a High School Teacher in North Carolina

A bachelor’s degree is required to teach high school in North Carolina, as it is throughout the country. The next steps to licensure and certification vary between states.

The NCDPI requires North Carolina high school teachers to:

Obtain a bachelor’s degree. Those seeking to pursue the traditional route, a degree in the subject they wish to teach, plus teacher licensure, is recommended. For instance, major in chemistry with teacher licensure. Alternatively, attend a program that specializes in secondary education licensure with an area of concentration, such as biology, mathematics, or English.
Complete a teacher preparation program: North Carolina provides a helpful list of approved educator preparation programs.
Pass the North Carolina State Board of Education (SBE) required licensure exams: SBE licensure requires high school teachers to take the relevant Pearson and Praxis exams.
Apply for an NCE Educator License: Candidates must use the NCDPI Online Licensure System to submit their application.
Apply for High school teaching positions: The NCDPI has links to help connect candidates with schools currently hiring.
Learn the necessary steps for your background check: North Carolina does not yet require background checks to be licensed. Instead, they have districts determine the type of background check(s) performed and if fingerprinting is required.

Alternative Route to Certification for High School Teachers

North Carolina has introduced the Residency License as an alternative pathway to becoming a teacher. The route allows qualifying individuals to teach immediately while participating in an approved educator preparation program such as Teachers of Tomorrow. The Residency License is valid for one year and can be renewed twice, providing three years of teaching.

The Residency License pathway has replaced the previous North Carolina alternative pathway, the Lateral Entry License. To qualify, the candidate must:

Hold a bachelor’s degree.
Have completed relevant coursework for the specific requested licensure area or passed the necessary exams.
Be enrolled in an approved educator preparation program.

Those who do not qualify for a Residency License may be eligible for one of the following licenses upon the request of the hiring district:

Emergency License: Issued for one year and is not renewable. Must have a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 18 hours of relevant coursework.
Permit to Teach: Issued for one year and is not renewable. Must have a bachelor’s degree and be unable to qualify for other license options.

What is the Highest and Lowest Paying High School Teaching Job?

High school teachers in North Carolina may teach in the following educational settings:

Public schools: North Carolina’s public school salaries are generally the highest paying. However, the best paying positions are typically in wealthier areas.
International schools: Generally, international schools have a more demanding curriculum in the higher grades. Thus, the best salaries are typically reserved for high school teachers, especially in math, science, and second language.
Private schools: North Carolina has 844 private schools for the 2023-23 school year. Salaries are heavily dependent on tuition fees, location, and size of the institution. Consequently, private school salaries often represent the highest and lowest paying in the state.
Charter schools: North Carolina had 206 charter schools operating for the 2022-2023 school year. Their access to district and state funding means their high school salaries are fairly competitive for new teachers, but those with more years of experience may find better pay elsewhere.
Online teaching: High school teachers looking to teach part-time might find online teaching their most flexible option.

high school teacher-annual salary

At Teachers of Tomorrow, we are excited to help you meet your career goal of becoming one of North Carolina’s top high school teachers. Don’t wait! Begin today and inspire our country’s next generation.