NC average teacher salary at 43rd, near bottom nationwide, in new report

A new report from the National Education Association ranks the state 43rd in average teacher pay and 38th in starting teacher pay. These rankings are about the same as last year.

This is all based on data from the 2024-25 school year. Teachers haven't received raises for the current school year, because the North Carolina legislature has yet to pass a new budget.

Without a raise, North Carolina teacher pay is projected to fall to 46th this year, based on estimates.

WRAL education reporter Emily Walkenhorst talks through the state of teacher pay in North Carolina.