WRAL’s  Kelly Hinchcliffe reports,

North Carolina ranks 37th in the nation for average teacher pay, according to estimates released Monday by the National Education Association.

The ranking is an estimate and can be revised later based on updated data. Last year, NEA estimated that North Carolina was ranked 35th in the nation for teacher pay, but it has since revised the numbers to show that N.C. was 39th last year.

NEA’s report, which details everything from teacher pay to school enrollment and funding by state, shows North Carolina’s average teacher salary is $50,861 for the current school year. That’s about $9,600 less than the national average teacher pay of $60,483, according to the report.

NEA’s report also estimates that North Carolina is ranked 39th in the nation in per-pupil spending this year. The state is spending $9,528 per student compared with the U.S. average of $11,934.

Last year, NEA estimated that North Carolina was ranked 43rd in per-pupil spending but has since revised the numbers to show that N.C. was 39th last year as well.

It is worth noting that NEA figures are not adjusted for cost of living.