SOC 25-1123 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary — North Carolina
North Carolina · 6 metro areas compared
In North Carolina the median wage is $63,370.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In North Carolina the median wage is $63,370. That is 19.5% lower than the national median of $78,760. Pay ranges from under $42,620 at the tenth percentile to more than $99,810 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $51,160 to $78,590.
Employment stands at 2,140, or 0.4 jobs per thousand held locally. North Carolina ranks number 39th out of 49 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Wilmington records the highest median at $83,910. Of the 745 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 273rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $42,620 | −45.9% |
| 25th | $51,160 | −35.0% |
| Median (50th) | $63,370 | −19.5% |
| 75th | $78,590 | −0.2% |
| 90th | $99,810 | +26.7% |
| Mean | $68,270 | −13.3% |
Highest-paying metro areas in North Carolina
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in North Carolina run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $63,370 goes as far as $67,200 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 14.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$63,370as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$67,200US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $63,370 a year, 19.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $42,620 to $99,810 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,140 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 39th of 49 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Wilmington, at $83,910.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in North Carolina?
The median annual wage is $63,370, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $78,760, so pay in North Carolina is 19.5% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in North Carolina earns more than $99,810 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $42,620 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Wilmington, at $83,910 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,140 jobs in this occupation in North Carolina. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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