BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Preschool Teachers in North Carolina

$37,340 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$17.95 per hour

▼ 13.2% below U.S. average36th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$37,340per year
Median$35,710per year
Hourly$17.95per hour
10th – 90th percentile$28,700 – $47,530per year

Preschool Teachers Pay Range in North Carolina

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$28,700
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$30,700
  • 50th Percentile — Median$35,710
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$40,330
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$47,530

Half of Preschool Teachers in North Carolina earn more than $35,710. The top 10% make $47,530 or more, while entry-level workers start around $28,700.

Preschool Teachers in North Carolina: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • North Carolina ranks 36th of 51 states for Preschool Teachers pay, at $37,340 per year (13.2% below the U.S. average of $43,030).
  • 18,370 people work as Preschool Teachers in North Carolina — 3.8% of all U.S. Preschool Teachers jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.21: Preschool Teachers jobs are more concentrated in North Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $28,700; the top 10% earn over $47,530.
  • Hourly equivalent: $17.95 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $68,100.
  • Among education jobs in North Carolina, Business Professors pays the most ($100,340).

Preschool Teachers 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. Preschool Teachers here earn $37,340 on average, placing the state 36th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.91 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Carolina salary of $37,340 is roughly equivalent to $41,033 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Montana ($38,440), Indiana ($38,240), Arkansas ($38,180) are the closest alternatives for Preschool Teachers 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 Preschool Teachers salary in North Carolina?

The average Preschool Teachers salary in North Carolina is $37,340 per year (median $35,710), which is 13.2% below the national average of $43,030.

How does North Carolina rank for Preschool Teachers pay?

North Carolina ranks 36th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($68,100/yr).

How much do entry-level Preschool Teachers make in North Carolina?

The lowest-paid 10% of Preschool Teachers in North Carolina earn about $28,700 per year and the 25th percentile is $30,700.

How much do Preschool Teachers make per hour in North Carolina?

About $17.95 per hour, based on the $37,340 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Preschool Teachers work in North Carolina?

BLS counts 18,370 Preschool Teachers jobs in North Carolina (OEWS May 2025).

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