When will new raises for NC teachers and state employees show up in paychecks?
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- Raises are effective as of July 1, the first day of the fiscal year.
- State employees will see August paychecks reflecting raises retroactive to July 1.
- Most state employees will receive their bonuses at the end of September.
Now that North Carolina has a new state budget, raises are coming soon.
The General Assembly sets base pay for public school teachers, as well as raises for tens of thousands of state employees. Democratic Gov. Josh Stein signed the Republican-written bill into law on July 7.
Here’s everything you should know about the timing of raises and bonuses if you are paid by the state.
When teachers will get their raises and bonuses
In the budget legislation, raises are effective as of July 1, which was the first day of the fiscal year.
“Legislative increases are on salaries for work performed in this fiscal year, usually effective the school year,” Department of Public Instruction spokesperson Jeanie McDowell said.
Teachers can be paid on a 10-month schedule or a 12-month schedule.
Teacher bonuses will be given no later than October, but the exact date is not yet known, according to the Department of Public Instruction.
When state employees will get their raises and bonuses
State employees will see their raises in their August paycheck with a retroactive increase dating back to July 1, the Office of the State Controller said.
Employees paid biweekly will receive their checks on Aug. 14, while those paid monthly will get them on Aug. 31.
As for bonuses, most state employees will see those at the end of September. For biweekly employees, the one-time money should arrive on Sept. 25; monthly employees should see it on Sept. 30.
Amounts of raises
Most state employees will receive 3% raises across the board. But many, especially in law enforcement, will get more.
Teachers will get an average raise of 8%, with the highest raises for starting teachers.
Lawmakers raised the base pay for starting teachers in North Carolina to $48,000. Current base starting pay is $41,000.
The legislature sets base pay, with many teachers receiving local supplements and additional pay for certifications and doctoral degrees.
Some teachers received longevity-based step-increase raises in late 2025, but there has been a salary plateau for veteran teachers.
The budget shows a base salary of $56,820 for teachers with 15 to 24 years of experience. Teachers with more than 25 years of experience will have a base pay of $59,000 a year.
Principals and noncertified school personnel, which includes bus drivers and cafeteria staff, will receive 3% raises.
Assistant principals, who are paid on a salary schedule similar to teachers, will receive an average raise of 6.3%.
Bonus amounts
State employees making $65,000 or more per year will receive a $1,000 bonus. Those who make less will receive $1,750.
Teachers with over 16 years of experience will receive a $1,000 bonus, while those with less experience will get $500.
Bonuses of $1,750 are set to be given by Oct. 31 to school nutrition and custodial employees in local public schools.
