A recent report from the National Education Association (NEA) reveals a concerning trend for North Carolina's education system: the state has dropped five places to 43rd in the nation for average teacher salaries.

The NEA's annual analysis of educator compensation and public education funding indicates that the average teacher in North Carolina earns $58,292. This figure falls significantly below the national average of $72,030, representing a gap of nearly $14,000.

The report further highlights that while teacher salaries across the United States saw an average increase of 3.8% over the past year, North Carolina's average salary only experienced a modest rise of approximately 3%.

For educators just beginning their careers, the data paints a similar picture. North Carolina ranks 39th in the nation for starting teacher pay, with an average beginning salary of $42,542. This is almost $4,000 less than the national average starting salary of $46,526, potentially making it more challenging for the state to attract and retain new talent in the teaching profession.