Substitute Teachers, Short-Term salary in North Carolina
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term in North Carolina earn a median of $33,780 a year ($16.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 20,360 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,040 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $41,670. North Carolina ranks 38th of 50 states for substitute teachers, Short-Term pay. There are 4.1 substitute teachers, Short-Term per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $35,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for substitute teachers, Short-Term in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,390 | $13.65 |
| 25th percentile | $30,190 | $14.51 |
| Median | $33,780 | $16.24 |
| 75th percentile | $37,760 | $18.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,040 | $21.66 |
| Average (mean) | $35,220 | $16.93 |
Half of substitute teachers, Short-Term earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,815 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,407.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,299.23 |
| Weekly | $649.62 |
| Hourly | $16.24 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $45,800 | 2,750 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $44,680 | 720 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $44,370 | 1,320 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $35,510 | 1,860 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $35,190 | 1,280 |
| Asheville, NC | $34,060 | 540 |
| Wilmington, NC | $33,780 | 880 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $33,220 | 1,060 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $32,010 | 2,570 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $31,960 | 90 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $31,470 | 2,370 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $31,130 | 170 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $30,590 | 150 |
| Greenville, NC | $30,240 | 210 |
Highest-paying states for substitute teachers, Short-Term
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $66,920 |
| California | $60,300 |
| Hawaii | $58,530 |
| Oregon | $58,280 |
| Washington | $55,740 |
| Minnesota | $50,390 |
| District of Columbia | $49,790 |
| West Virginia | $49,020 |
| Maryland | $46,470 |
| Rhode Island | $45,590 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $41,710 | $20.05 |
| Tutor | $42,390 | $20.38 |
| Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors | $51,810 | $24.91 |
| Teachers and Instructors, All Other | $50,000 | — |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $54,930 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $29,790 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $57,650 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $52,010 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $35,710 | $17.17 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $103,220 | — |
| Instructional Coordinator | $63,340 | $30.45 |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $62,390 | $30.00 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other | $61,580 | $29.61 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $58,260 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-3031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a substitute teachers, Short-Term make in North Carolina?
The median salary for substitute teachers, Short-Term in North Carolina is $33,780 a year, or $16.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid substitute teachers, Short-Term make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of substitute teachers, Short-Term in North Carolina earn at least $45,040 a year. The top 25% earn $37,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for substitute teachers, Short-Term in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,390 a year, and a quarter of substitute teachers, Short-Term earn $30,190 or less.
How many substitute teachers, Short-Term work in North Carolina?
About 20,360 substitute teachers, Short-Term are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.