This week, the N.C. Department of Public Instruction released Highlights of the North Carolina Public School Budget 2018.  The report indicates that the average base salary is now $51,214, an increase of $1,245 or 2 percent over the year before.

It is important to recognize that the average salary is largely determined by the years of experience and credentials of the teacher workforce.  Because of the nature of the teacher salary schedule, a relatively inexperienced workforce, for example, will suppress the overall average.  This is true even in years when the legislature grants base salary increases, which they have done for five of the last six years.

In addition, the average includes a local supplement, as it always has.  Public education is a cooperative enterprise in North Carolina.