Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary in North Carolina
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in North Carolina earn a median of $35,710 a year ($17.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 18,370 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,530 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $38,140. North Carolina ranks 38th of 51 states for preschool teachers, except special education pay. There are 3.7 preschool teachers, except special education per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $37,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for preschool teachers, except special education in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,700 | $13.80 |
| 25th percentile | $30,700 | $14.76 |
| Median | $35,710 | $17.17 |
| 75th percentile | $40,330 | $19.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,530 | $22.85 |
| Average (mean) | $37,340 | $17.95 |
Half of preschool teachers, except special education earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,975.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,487.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,373.46 |
| Weekly | $686.73 |
| Hourly | $17.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $35,710 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $36,600 | 1,290 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $36,480 | 4,570 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $36,330 | 1,980 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $36,030 | 3,780 |
| Asheville, NC | $35,890 | 610 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $35,710 | 1,390 |
| Wilmington, NC | $34,880 | 740 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $34,860 | 220 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $34,180 | 910 |
| Burlington, NC | $33,680 | 240 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $33,260 | 610 |
| Greenville, NC | $33,130 | 320 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $32,970 | 350 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $31,320 | 290 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $30,280 | 150 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $30,050 | 240 |
Highest-paying states for preschool teachers, except special education
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $62,150 |
| Vermont | $49,730 |
| Hawaii | $48,780 |
| New Jersey | $48,220 |
| Kansas | $47,750 |
| California | $47,400 |
| Nebraska | $47,040 |
| New York | $46,520 |
| Alaska | $46,130 |
| Massachusetts | $45,890 |
See Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education pay in every state.
Related jobs in North Carolina
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a preschool teachers, except special education make in North Carolina?
The median salary for preschool teachers, except special education in North Carolina is $35,710 a year, or $17.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid preschool teachers, except special education make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of preschool teachers, except special education in North Carolina earn at least $47,530 a year. The top 25% earn $40,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for preschool teachers, except special education in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,700 a year, and a quarter of preschool teachers, except special education earn $30,700 or less.
How many preschool teachers, except special education work in North Carolina?
About 18,370 preschool teachers, except special education are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.