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

Middle school teachers lead youth through a transitionary period of growth. The classroom atmosphere swings as fast as tween’s hormones shift, creating a unique dynamic. It’s a rewarding experience that’s never dull. If you’re looking for a career change, now’s the time. North Carolina’s teaching shortage has districts desperate for quality middle school teachers.

The average middle school teacher salary in North Carolina as of May 2022 was $50,450. 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 explores North Carolina’s middle school teacher salaries. We’ll also outline the various pathways to becoming a middle school teacher, including alternative teacher certification options.

Adorable student learn with teacher in classroom

What Is a Middle School Teacher?

North Carolina middle school teachers focus on grades 6-9 that serve students aged 11 to 14. These are transitional years for learners, where they gradually shift from a single classroom format to switching classes taught by teachers specializing in a particular subject.

The main content concentrations North Carolina middle school teachers select are:

English/Language Arts
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies

However, lower-grade middle school teachers may be required to teach subjects adjacent to their concentration.

Middle school teachers must prepare lesson plans that follow a curriculum that meets the academic standards of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). In addition, they must record students’ progress, guide and monitor their behavior, and help students reach their goals and potential.

There is no single formula to becoming a successful middle school teacher. However, there are skills that all excellent educators share:

Leadership: Tweens and young teens are still trying to discover themselves. They look up to their teachers and rely on them for stability and guidance in addition to being educated.
Critical Thinking: Middle schoolers are ready to tackle information on a deeper level in their studies and socially. Teachers must help them explore their questions and find unique resolutions to situations that have become more complex since elementary school.
Adaptability: Teaching always comes with a side order of unpredictability. However, working with middle schoolers requires flexibility unique to any other education level. One moment, students could be laughing, and in the next, there are tears. Excellent middle school teachers can read the room, switch it up in a blink, and have a sense of humor about it all.

Middle school teachers have numerous responsibilities, including the following:

Adapt their lesson plans to suit various learning styles to meet all student needs.
Communicate progress and areas of concern with students’ guardians and check in with students’ other teachers.
Plan and supervise class projects and outings to provide a well-rounded educational experience.

How Much Do Middle School Teachers Make in North Carolina?

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

Highest salary – $61,710
Average salary – $50,450
Lowest salary – $38,070

Middle school teaching salaries vary in North Carolina depending on the district and the teacher’s qualifications, additional skills, and years of experience.

middle school teacher-North Carolina

How To Become a Middle School Teacher in North Carolina

As throughout the country, a bachelor’s degree is required to teach middle school in North Carolina. However, the rest of the licensing and certification requirements vary between states.

The NCDPI requires North Carolina middle school teachers to:

Obtain a bachelor’s degree. Those seeking to pursue the traditional route, a degree in middle grades (6-9) education is recommended. Most programs offer minors and concentrations for specific areas of interest within the field.
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 middle 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 Middle 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 Middle 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 not qualify for other license options.

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

North Carolina middle school teachers may find positions in the following educational settings:

Public schools: North Carolina’s public school salaries vary depending on the district and years of experience. The better-paying positions are typically in areas with higher standards of living.
Private schools: North Carolina has 844 private schools for the 2023-23 school year. Middle school and high school salaries tend to be significantly better than elementary schools in the private sector. However, private schools offer the best and lowest-paying positions depending on tuition fees and location.
International schools: Generally, international schools have a more demanding curriculum in the higher grades. Thus, the best salaries are typically reserved for high school, followed by middle school.
Charter schools: North Carolina had 206 charter schools operating for the 2022-2023 school year. Despite NC’s charter schools having access to district and state funding, they are less competitive in middle school salaries.
Online teaching: These positions are harder to find in North Carolina. However, they are often the best places to find part-time teaching positions.

middle school teacher annual salary

At Teachers of Tomorrow, we are ready to help you fulfill your goal of becoming a top middle school teacher in North Carolina. What are you waiting for? Start your next chapter now.