CHARLOTTE, N.C. — North Carolina has dropped five spots, from 38 to 43 across the nation, when it comes to teacher pay, according to a National Education Association report.

The new report shows the average teacher salary in North Carolina for the 2023-24 year was $58,292. The national average is $72,030, according to the association.

North Carolina did, however, move up the rankings from 42 to 39 for starting teacher salaries, with $42,542. 

In North Carolina, the state pays public schools teachers a base salary based on several factors, including years of experience. School districts may provide a local supplement in addition to the base salary. 

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is requesting Mecklenburg County fund an increased local supplement for the upcoming school year as part of the district's proposed budget for next school year. 

Shannon McLeod is a fourth-grade math teacher at Westerly Hills Academy in Charlotte who was recognized as the teacher of the year. 

“This is something that’s really going to help them become a better person,” McLeod said.

He said his work is fun and rewarding. 

“The kids, the love for students. I’ve been here for seven years — that says a lot," McLeod said. "Being here for seven years, it’s saying something amazing is happening at Westerly Hills."  

He recognizes teacher pay is a challenge. 

"A one bedroom … apartment here in Charlotte is over $1,400. Now, considering having a base salary of over $50,000 after taxes and deductions and stuff, you're leaving with just enough to get by,” he said. 

Based on his experience, he receives a $9,000 local supplement in addition to his state base salary. 

“The supplement does help you to manage on an average, so considering not having it, I don’t know what it would be for myself and other teachers,” McLeod said.

The state Senate budget plan includes a 3.3% pay increase for teachers over two years. The state House is expected to release its plan in the next two weeks. 

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education Chair Stephanie Sneed said the proposed state salary increase falls short. 

“It’s up to our local areas to provide ways that we can support our teachers, and one of the ways we can do that is provide a supplement, on top of the state’s salary, that is provided by our county,” Sneed said. “That 5% helps support those efforts to recruit teachers and retain those that are currently in our district.”

Sneed said many teachers have left the profession across the state. 

“We have to do all that we can to recruit and retain those that we already have,” Sneed said. 

McLeod is thankful for the proposed local supplement increase. 

“An increase is always appreciated. It speaks to the heart of CMS having their teachers interest at heart,” he said. 

The board considered asking for more than a 5% local supplement pay increase, but Sneed said they took into consideration the economic climate and county budget before making the request. 

While McLeod would have been supportive of a higher local supplement increase, he said he has a message for state legislators when considering raising the base salary for teachers. 

“Consider us, understanding that we have to keep up to the growing economy, understanding that if the economy is growing fast or the expenses are rising more than our salary, that is leading us to poverty, you know, not being able to afford just the basic things that a teacher needs on a daily basis to perform effectively and just to live a comfortable life,” he said. 

The teacher supplement for CMS averages $10,287, according to the district.

According to the Department of Public Instruction, Wake County and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools lead the state in local supplemental pay for teachers. 

CMS presented its proposed budget to Mecklenburg County Board of County Commissioners on Wednesday.