Compensation for Public School Employees
Teachers, school administrators, and non-teaching positions in NC school districts (LEAs) are employed by local boards of education but are paid on a state salary schedule based on a number of factors. In addition to the state salary, a local supplement may be provided by the school district. Some public school employees may also receive compensation, or longevity pay, for continuing service. Independent Public Schools (IPS - charter schools, lab schools, regional schools, and the Innovative School District) may follow the state salary schedules or determine their own.
Certified Educator Salary Schedules include teachers, certified instructional support and school based administrators. All certified educators working in Local Education Agencies (LEA) are required to be paid from the legislated salary schedule. This schedule is approved annually by the general assembly and sets a minimum pay based on the educators years of experience and education level. As a supplement to these monthly amounts, a LEA may approve additional funds to the educator to account for variances such as geographic location, market conditions or school demographics.
State Salary Schedules
Salary schedules and daily rates for state legislated certified salaries, and salary ranges for non-certified personnel:
- 2020-2021 Salary Schedules
- 2019-2020 Salary Schedules November 12, 2019
- 2018-2019 Salary Schedules July 13, 2018
- 2017-2018 Salary Schedules October 10, 2017
- 2016-2017 Salary Schedules
Local Salary Supplement data is available in the Statistical Profile.
2017-18 Principals Schedules FAQ
Determining the Hold Harmless for Teachers — Examples 2016-17
Guidance
Legislated Bonuses
The following bonuses are legislated in the session law and may change from year to year.
Current Year
Previous Year
- 2019-20 Principals and Teachers Bonus Summary
- 2019-20 Teacher Performance - 3rd Grade Reading
- 2019-20 Teacher Performance - Industry Certifications and Credentials
- 2019-20 Teacher Performance - Advanced Course (AP, IB, AICE)
- 2019-20 Teacher Performance - 4-5 Grade Reading and 4-8 Grade Math
- 2019-20 Principal Performance Bonus - Eligible Schools
State Funded Recruitment Supplements
The following are the recruitment supplements funded at the State level. Public school units may have their own additional local initiatives.
Principal Recruitment Supplement
- Legislation
- FAQ Updated Jan 7, 2021
Highly Qualified Teaching Graduates
- HQ Teaching Graduates FAQ
- Eligible Courses and License Areas
- Low Performing Schools
Other Guidance
State Salary Manual and Forms
Manual
- NC Public School Personnel State Salary Manual 2020-21 - Contains complete legislative salary information and State Board of Education salary policies. Updated February 9, 2021
- NC Public School Personnel State Salary Manual 2018-19
- SBE approved changes for 2018-19 - Section C - School Based Administrators and Section D - Teachers and Student Services
- NC Public School Personnel State Salary Manual 2017-18
- Attachment "A" - List of budget codes and their required licensure areas for salary calculation purposes. This is used by administrative staff in the LEAs for coding personnel in the school systems. The Attach A is online with the Uniform Chart of Accounts documents.
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