BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Childcare Workers in North Carolina

$30,940 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$14.88 per hour

▼ 11.7% below U.S. average37th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$30,940per year
Median$29,140per year
Hourly$14.88per hour
10th – 90th percentile$22,840 – $40,990per year

Childcare Workers Pay Range in North Carolina

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$22,840
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$24,270
  • 50th Percentile — Median$29,140
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$35,480
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$40,990

Half of Childcare Workers in North Carolina earn more than $29,140. The top 10% make $40,990 or more, while entry-level workers start around $22,840.

Childcare Workers in North Carolina: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • North Carolina ranks 37th of 51 states for Childcare Workers pay, at $30,940 per year (11.7% below the U.S. average of $35,030).
  • 12,550 people work as Childcare Workers in North Carolina — 2.4% of all U.S. Childcare Workers jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.76: Childcare Workers jobs are less concentrated in North Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $22,840; the top 10% earn over $40,990.
  • Hourly equivalent: $14.88 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $48,360.
  • Among personal services jobs in North Carolina, Skincare Specialists pays the most ($50,870).

Childcare Workers Job Market in North Carolina

Key factors affecting compensation

North Carolina's key industries are Technology, Finance, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Childcare Workers here earn $30,940 on average, placing the state 37th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.91 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Carolina salary of $30,940 is roughly equivalent to $34,000 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Idaho ($31,600), Pennsylvania ($31,510), Wyoming ($31,340) are the closest alternatives for Childcare Workers weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Childcare Workers salary in North Carolina?

The average Childcare Workers salary in North Carolina is $30,940 per year (median $29,140), which is 11.7% below the national average of $35,030.

How does North Carolina rank for Childcare Workers pay?

North Carolina ranks 37th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($48,360/yr).

How much do entry-level Childcare Workers make in North Carolina?

The lowest-paid 10% of Childcare Workers in North Carolina earn about $22,840 per year and the 25th percentile is $24,270.

How much do Childcare Workers make per hour in North Carolina?

About $14.88 per hour, based on the $30,940 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Childcare Workers work in North Carolina?

BLS counts 12,550 Childcare Workers jobs in North Carolina (OEWS May 2025).

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