Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary in Wilmington, NC
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn a median of $34,880 a year ($16.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 740 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,040 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $38,140. Pay here is 2% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $35,710. There are 3.9 preschool teachers, except special education per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $36,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for preschool teachers, except special education in Wilmington, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,810 | $13.85 |
| 25th percentile | $30,320 | $14.58 |
| Median | $34,880 | $16.77 |
| 75th percentile | $38,290 | $18.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,040 | $22.61 |
| Average (mean) | $36,490 | $17.54 |
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 | $2,906.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,453.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,341.54 |
| Weekly | $670.77 |
| Hourly | $16.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $34,880 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 other metro areas nearby
| 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 |
| 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 or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Wilmington, NC
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Wilmington, NC
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 Wilmington, NC?
The median salary for preschool teachers, except special education in the Wilmington, NC metro area is $34,880 a year, or $16.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid preschool teachers, except special education make in Wilmington, NC?
The top 10% of preschool teachers, except special education in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn at least $47,040 a year. The top 25% earn $38,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for preschool teachers, except special education in Wilmington, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,810 a year, and a quarter of preschool teachers, except special education earn $30,320 or less.
How many preschool teachers, except special education work in Wilmington, NC?
About 740 preschool teachers, except special education are employed in the Wilmington, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.