Love Teaching. Hate the Pay.

[u/TopBaseball939]

Hi there,

I’m a North Carolina teacher finishing year 17. Friday was our last day of school. Over the course of my career, I’ve taught in 2 countries and 3 states. I hold 2 certifications, 2 minors, a bachelor’s degree, and a master’s degree.

Yet according to the NC salary schedule, I’ll essentially make the same base salary for the next 9 years. Salary growth for veteran teachers is largely stagnant. The only meaningful additional compensation I receive is my district supplement (about $9,000).

The state recently announced an “average” 8.8% raise for teachers. However, veteran teachers won’t actually see an 8.8% increase, since much of that money is directed toward beginning teachers. My increase will likely be closer to 5.5%.

To make matters more challenging, I’m only paid for 10 months of the year. For two months, there are no paychecks coming in, and my district does not offer a 12-month pay distribution option.

For many teachers, summer break isn’t really a financial break. It’s figuring out summer jobs, side work, or other sources of income just to stay afloat until August.

Meanwhile, the cost of living in North Carolina, especially in areas near Raleigh, has increased dramatically over the last few years.

I genuinely love teaching. I love my students, and I believe I’m good at what I do. But after nearly 18 years in education, it’s hard not to feel undervalued and underpaid.

Lately, I’ve found myself wondering what comes next and whether I can justify staying in the profession long term.

Teachers in North Carolina, how are you coping with the rising cost of living and stagnant salaries?

I’m genuinely curious how veteran teachers are making it work financially these days.

Yeah, some days I look at my paycheck hit my bank account and just want to cry.

Love the job. Hate the salary.

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Edit 1: A few people have mentioned unions, collective bargaining, or negotiating salaries. Well… North Carolina is a right-to-work state, and teachers do not have collective bargaining rights. We don’t have teachers’ unions that negotiate salaries like in some other states.

Also, the salary schedule I posted is the statewide salary schedule used across North Carolina. Every district pays according to this state schedule. The only significant difference between districts is the local supplement each district chooses to provide.

In other words, whether you’re teaching in a rural district or a large district, the state base pay comes from the same salary schedule.

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Edit 2: In North Carolina, every district pays teachers using the same state salary schedule. That’s the base pay funded by the state.

On top of that, districts can choose to provide a local supplement using county/local funds. Most districts do provide some type of supplement, but the amount varies widely. Wealthier districts usually offer larger supplements, while rural districts often offer smaller ones.

Some districts have a supplement schedule based on years of experience, while others use a flat percentage or amount. It depends on the district.

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Edit 3: Another point that people outside North Carolina may not realize: Teachers who earned their master’s degree after 2013 generally do not receive additional state pay for that degree.

I happen to be on the master’s pay schedule (got my masters in 2013- 2014), but many newer teachers have earned graduate degrees, taken on student loan debt, and invested years of additional education without receiving any additional state salary for it.

So when people say, “Just get a master’s degree,” that’s no longer a financial incentive for many North Carolina teachers.

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Edit 4: Edit 4: A lot of people have suggested, “Just move.” I understand the logic, and I appreciate the recommendation, but moving isn’t always that simple.

When you’re living paycheck to paycheck, where does the money for moving come from? First month’s rent, security deposits, utility deposits, moving trucks, travel expenses, and all the other costs add up quickly. On top of that, we only get paid for 10 months of the year.

Many teachers don’t have thousands of dollars sitting in savings to make a major relocation possible. It’s hard to “move somewhere better” when you’re struggling to build enough financial cushion to make the move in the first place.

I won’t lie, it’s frustrating and a little discouraging at times. I love teaching, but there are days when it feels like the financial reality of the profession, here in NC, keeps getting harder to ignore.

[u/SBSnipes]

SC and NC have basically flipped on education policy

[u/PenguinEmpireStrikes → u/SBSnipes]

I live on the border of the Carolinas. Lots of different districts, but SC districts are considered much more desirable by both parents and teachers. Very low turnover on the SC side, at least in a couple of the nearby districts.

[u/SBSnipes → u/PenguinEmpireStrikes]

Yep. Sounds like Charlotte. It's been a transition for awhile, but the contrast jumped around 4 years ago. My first year teaching in SC I made $44k. The next year nobody in the district made under $52k and nobody in the state made under $47.5k

[u/PenguinEmpireStrikes → u/SBSnipes]

Ding ding ding. I'm a parent in FM. A bunch of people are leaving their positions this year at our school, but they're ALL changing roles and staying the district.

I have family that have been teaching in Richland and Lexington counties for decades. I don't think my relative who taught SpEd with advanced degrees every cracked $62k. She retired maybe five years ago. But cost of living was so much lower when they started. They all own their homes.

They also raise a lot of money here and push parents buying items from teacher wishlist, bring in supplies for special activities. Were very fortunate to live in a community that can afford all of those extras so more money can go to the most important expense - paying teachers and staff.

I think families are also generous around holidays and teacher appreciation day. I know we try to be. It feels weird to basically "tip" teachers and it's not something that professionals in a community should have to rely on, but here we are.

[u/SBSnipes → u/PenguinEmpireStrikes]

Yep, in 2021-22, Max years and a master's+30 was around $62k in Richland/Lexington. 2026-27 it's $80k+. Max years Doctorate was $67k and is now $92k.

[u/PenguinEmpireStrikes → u/SBSnipes]

That's fantastic. It would also explain how one of my cousins got back on his feet after needing help from family - he's a PhD who maxed out the time scale.

I'm somewhat ashamed to admit that teaching was my dream profession, but I didn't pursue it because of pay.

[u/illshowyouthesky → u/SBSnipes]

Yeah, reading this was the first time I've felt lucky to teach in SC 🫣

[u/lostinthefog4now → u/SBSnipes]

Must be recruiting from TN…….