High School Special Education Teacher Salary Overview in Wilmington, NC
Careerclev's modeled 2026 benchmark places High School Special Education Teacher pay in Wilmington, NC at about $48,793.0 per year. On the latest official BLS baseline for this market, the lower local range starts near $39,830.0, while the strongest-paid professionals can reach about $62,120.0.
Salary estimates are based on data from the Wilmington, Nc metropolitan area.
If you’re comparing High School Special Education Teacher salaries in Wilmington, NC, the real story isn’t just the headline number. Local employer mix, seniority, specialization, and whether the role is remote, hybrid, or onsite can push compensation well above or below the local median.
Wilmington, NC vs. U.S. National Average
Wilmington, NC pays -30% vs u.s. for High School Special Education Teacher roles. The difference is driven by local employer demand, industry mix, cost pressures, and how concentrated this role is in the underlying metro labor market.
| Market | Projected Salary | vs Wilmington, NC | Market Maturity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington, NC (this guide) | $48,793.0 | Baseline | Local market |
| United States | $69,590.0 | +43% vs U.S. | National baseline |
| Hickory, NC | $61,600.0 | +26% vs U.S. | Comparable city |
| Durham, NC | $59,550.0 | +22% vs U.S. | Comparable city |
| Charlotte, NC | $58,550.0 | +20% vs U.S. | Comparable city |
High School Special Education Teacher Salary by Experience Level in Wilmington, NC
Experience changes the local salary picture quickly because employers usually pay for independence, specialization, and broader scope, not just years on paper. In Wilmington, NC, this breakdown shows how aHigh School Special Education Teacher can move from early-career pay into stronger bands as the role becomes more self-directed.
| Level | Experience | Projected Salary | Projected Range | Market Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level High School Special Education Teacher | 0-2 years | $44,786.0 | $38,644.0 - $48,793.0 | -36% vs U.S. |
| Mid-Level High School Special Education Teacher | 3-5 years | $48,793.0 | $44,786.0 - $56,594.0 | -30% vs U.S. |
| Senior High School Special Education Teacher | 6-10 years | $56,594.0 | $48,793.0 - $60,271.0 | -19% vs U.S. |
| Lead / Principal High School Special Education Teacher | 10+ years | $60,271.0 | $56,594.0 - $73,530.0 | -13% vs U.S. |
Best Salary Areas Near Wilmington, NC
Nearby metro areas help show how High School Special Education Teacher pay changes around Wilmington, NC. Each market reflects its own employer mix, local demand, and industry concentration, making these comparisons useful for candidates weighing their location options.
High School Special Education Teacher Salary by Industry in Wilmington, NC
Industry premiums in Wilmington, NC usually come from employers that place the High School Special Education Teacher role close to revenue, infrastructure, compliance, product delivery, or other high-value work. National industry data gives the best available benchmark until local industry slices are available.
| Industry | Modeled Salary | Reference Range | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative, Support, Waste Management, and Remediation Services | $79,160.0 | $45,170.0 - $91,320.0 | Stronger salary |
| Government, Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service | $72,830.0 | $48,640.0 - $108,560 | Stronger salary |
| Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service | $72,560.0 | $47,670.0 - $97,640.0 | Stronger salary |
| Educational Services | $69,840.0 | $47,980.0 - $106,170 | Competitive |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | $60,830.0 | $41,720.0 - $80,290.0 | Competitive |
Entry-Level High School Special Education Teacher Salary in Wilmington, NC
Entry-level High School Special Education Teacher jobs in Wilmington, NC are modeled around the lower local wage percentiles. Candidates who can show practical projects, job-ready tools, and strong fundamentals usually have a better path into the middle of the local salary range.
For a broader starting-pay benchmark beyond this city market, see the entry-level High School Special Education Teacher salary guide.
Remote vs Onsite High School Special Education Teacher Pay in Wilmington, NC
Remote work can widen the employer pool for High School Special Education Teacher candidates in Wilmington, NC. Onsite and hybrid roles may still pay more when employers need local availability, local clients, regulated work, or team coverage.
| Work Type | Estimated Salary | Experience | Best Fit | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remote | $47,817.1 | Market dependent | National hiring pools | High |
| Hybrid | $49,768.9 | Metro dependent | Wilmington, NC employers | Medium |
| Onsite | $48,793.0 | Location dependent | Local teams and operations | Lower |
Cost of Living vs Salary in Wilmington, NC
A salary in Wilmington, NC should be read alongside housing, commuting, tax, and everyday costs. The same annual pay can feel very different at entry, mid-level, and senior levels.
Top Employers Hiring High School Special Education Teachers in Wilmington, NC
Employer mix is one of the biggest city-level salary drivers. The industries below highlight where High School Special Education Teacher pay tends to be strongest in Wilmington, NC, based on the sectors that create the most hiring demand for this role.
Wilmington, NC Compared With Other U.S. Cities
This comparison is useful when one city salary number is not enough on its own. It shows whetherWilmington, NC is genuinely a stronger-paying market for High School Special Education Teacher work or whether the local benchmark sits closer to the broader national middle.
High School Special Education Teacher Salary Trends in Wilmington, NC Over Time
Historical salary trend data for High School Special Education Teacher in Wilmington, NC is available across multiple BLS wage years. The chart below shows how the local salary benchmark has changed over time.
* 2024–2026 values are modeled estimates extending from the last confirmed BLS benchmark. The last confirmed BLS figure ($50.3K, 2024) is extended with recent wage trend history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available, then replaced when official data is published.
Career Growth Opportunities in Wilmington, NC
Local career growth is strongest when it is read through both the city salary ladder and the broader national demand outlook. The city salary benchmark shows what this market currently pays, while the career path and BLS demand data show how that benchmark can expand with scope and responsibility.
| Metric | 2026 Outlook |
|---|---|
| Projected employment | 164.2k → 161.5k |
| Typical education | Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. |
| Related experience | A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. |
| Local market anchor | 130 jobs with a median of $48,793.0 |
Factors Affecting High School Special Education Teacher Salary in Wilmington, NC
Local pay rarely moves for one reason alone. In city markets, the biggest differences usually come from employer concentration, industry mix, seniority, and whether the role is tied to business-critical work that is harder to staff.
How to Increase Your High School Special Education Teacher Salary in Wilmington, NC
In city markets, salary growth often comes from better positioning as much as from patience. These moves are most useful when you already understand the local benchmark and want a clearer path beyond it.
High School Special Education Teacher Salary in Wilmington, NC: FAQs
These questions usually come up after readers compare the city benchmark, the statewide picture, and the local experience ladder. They help clarify how to read the market and what matters most when you compare this city with other options.
These FAQs focus on how readers searching for "High School Special Education Teacher" usually compare local pay, employer mix, and market differences in this city.
What is the average Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary?⌄
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Salary figures use BLS OEWS wage facts for 2024. City pages use the BLS metropolitan area as the salary dataset, display the largest city as the public page name, and model experience bands from local wage percentiles.