Among North Carolina’s post-secondary institutions, Appalachian State University ranked seventh in coaching salaries in 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
Data indicates that Appalachian State University offered its coaches an average salary of $215,305, with the top coaching salary reaching $346,231.
Wake Forest University led North Carolina with the highest average coaching salary in 2024, providing $778,858.
In 2024, the average salary for post-secondary coaches in North Carolina was $115,460, marking a 4.8% increase from $110,178 the previous year.
A Knight Commission report projects that within a decade, some Power 5 football coaches will earn more than their schools spend on scholarships and medical care for all athletes. The study estimates more than $1 billion in new annual revenue from the expanded College Football Playoff and media rights deals. By 2032, nearly half of public Power 5 schools could reach this ‘crossover point.’
Incomplete data provided by post-secondary institutions can sometimes skew salary data.
| Institution | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wake Forest University | $778,858 |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh | $718,323 |
| Duke University | $520,948 |
| The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | $496,648 |
| East Carolina University | $381,344 |
| The University of North Carolina at Charlotte | $246,616 |
| Appalachian State University | $215,305 |
| Elon University | $147,874 |
| High Point University | $145,975 |
| Campbell University | $130,966 |
Information in this story was obtained from the U.S. Department of Education. The source data can be found here.
