Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare Salary in North Carolina (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare in North Carolina, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$57,200
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.50
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-4% vs US median
US median $59,300
State Rank
#24 of 50
2,410 employed here

How much do Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare make in North Carolina?

Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare in North Carolina take home a median of $57,200 annually — roughly $27.50 an hour — which runs 4% below the national median of $59,300.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $38,480 while the top 10% make $89,120 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,110 and $69,950 a year.

Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$38,480$18.50
25th percentile (early career)$46,110$22.17
50th percentile (median)$57,200$27.50
75th percentile (experienced)$69,950$33.63
90th percentile (top earners)$89,120$42.85

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 24th out of 50 states and territories for Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New York$96,810
2New Jersey$78,770
3District of Columbia$77,850
4Alaska$75,540
5Washington$70,470

Working as Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare in North Carolina

Nationally, about 74,000 people work as Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare in the United States. An associate degree (about 2 years of college) is the typical entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare North Carolina pay ($57,200) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare make in North Carolina?
The median Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare salary in North Carolina is $57,200 per year, or about $27.50 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,480 at the entry level to $89,120 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare about 4% less than the national median of $59,300. North Carolina ranks 24th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $57,200 a year. About 2,410 Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.