Childcare Worker Salary in Charlotte, NC
Childcare Workers in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn a median $30,390 a year — 13% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $25,895 take-home, or $2,158 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in Charlotte, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,467
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,884
- Medicare (1.45%)$441
- North Carolina income tax$704
- Take-home pay$25,895
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
The Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro spans North Carolina, South Carolina. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Childcare Worker pay by experience in Charlotte, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,180 | $11.14 | $20,283 | $1,690 |
| 25th percentile | $24,730 | $11.89 | $21,497 | $1,791 |
| Median (50th) | $30,390 | $14.61 | $25,895 | $2,158 |
| 75th percentile | $36,550 | $17.57 | $30,598 | $2,550 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,400 | $22.31 | $38,120 | $3,177 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $30,390 buys in Charlotte, NC
Prices in Charlotte, NC are 2.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 2% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median childcare worker's $25,895 take-home pay has the buying power of $26,600 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Childcare Worker jobs are about as common in Charlotte, NC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.84).
Best-paying cities for childcare workers, adjusted for cost of living
Charlotte, NC ranks #37 of 46 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denver, CO | $44,320 | $36,549 | $34,552 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $45,720 | $37,504 | $33,964 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $43,710 | $37,301 | $33,564 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $44,540 | $36,618 | $31,673 |
| 5 | Riverside, CA | $40,210 | $33,368 | $31,349 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $41,590 | $33,738 | $31,162 |
| 7 | Nashville, TN | $34,450 | $29,861 | $30,996 |
| 8 | Providence, RI | $37,230 | $31,315 | $30,770 |
| 37 | Charlotte, NC | $30,390 | $25,895 | $26,600 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 46 metros →
About the job: childcare workers
Attend to children at schools, businesses, private households, and childcare institutions. Perform a variety of tasks, such as dressing, feeding, bathing, and overseeing play.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -2.0% (declining)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Charlotte, NC?
The median childcare worker salary in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area is $30,390 a year, or about $14.61 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $24,730 and $36,550.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in Charlotte, NC?
On the median $30,390 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $25,895 a year ($2,158 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $704 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Charlotte, NC a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 13% below the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $26,600 would in a typical U.S. city. Charlotte, NC ranks #37 of 46 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker afford rent in Charlotte, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Charlotte, NC is $1,428 a month ($1,577 for two bedrooms) — 66% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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