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CMS superintendent earns $318k a year. Here are other highest paid district employees

The top 25 highest paid employees at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools all earn more than $189,000, according to January 2025 data. See a list of the highest-paid employees below.
The top 25 highest paid employees at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools all earn more than $189,000, according to January 2025 data. See a list of the highest-paid employees below. mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Crystal Hill leads the way in top salaries at the district.

Hill makes $318,000 annually — $29,000 more than the next-highest paid CMS employee, Andre Mayes.

Mayes, the district’s general counsel, makes $290,000 annually. Multiple district administrators make more than $200,000, including Deputy Superintendent Melissa Balknight, Chief Academic Officer Nancy Brightwell and Chief Human Resource Officer, Kecia Coln.

Principals round out the top 25.

Gavin Off
The Charlotte Observer
Gavin Off was previously the Charlotte Observer’s data reporter, since 2011. He also worked as a data reporter at the Tulsa World and at Scripps Howard News Service in Washington, D.C. His journalism, including his data analysis and reporting for the investigative series Big Poultry, won multiple national journalism awards.
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