Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education Salary in Raleigh, NC
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median $36,030 a year — 6% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,201 take-home, or $2,517 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median preschool teachers, except special education salary in Raleigh, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,144
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,234
- Medicare (1.45%)$522
- North Carolina income tax$929
- Take-home pay$30,201
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education pay by experience in Raleigh, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,400 | $14.62 | $25,902 | $2,159 |
| 25th percentile | $34,290 | $16.49 | $28,873 | $2,406 |
| Median (50th) | $36,030 | $17.32 | $30,201 | $2,517 |
| 75th percentile | $39,820 | $19.14 | $33,095 | $2,758 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,600 | $22.88 | $39,036 | $3,253 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,030 buys in Raleigh, NC
Prices in Raleigh, NC are 1.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.03× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median preschool teachers, except special education's $30,201 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,768 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Raleigh, NC has 1.6× the national concentration of preschool teachers, except special education jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for preschool teachers, except special education, adjusted for cost of living
Raleigh, NC ranks #32 of 39 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $51,190 | $41,525 | $37,605 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $53,810 | $43,439 | $37,573 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $50,230 | $40,424 | $35,913 |
| 4 | Denver, CO | $45,680 | $37,582 | $35,528 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $46,380 | $39,446 | $35,495 |
| 6 | Riverside, CA | $46,010 | $37,721 | $35,438 |
| 7 | Minneapolis, MN | $43,960 | $35,969 | $34,314 |
| 8 | Boston, MA | $46,030 | $37,084 | $34,252 |
| 32 | Raleigh, NC | $36,030 | $30,201 | $30,768 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 39 metros →
About the job: preschool teachers, except special education
Instruct preschool-aged students, following curricula or lesson plans, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth.
- Typical education
- Associate's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +4.5% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salaries elsewhere in North Carolina
- Charlotte, NC — $36,480
Frequently asked questions
How much does a preschool teachers, except special education make in Raleigh, NC?
The median preschool teachers, except special education salary in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $36,030 a year, or about $17.32 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $34,290 and $39,820.
What is a preschool teachers, except special education’s take-home pay in Raleigh, NC?
On the median $36,030 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $30,201 a year ($2,517 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $929 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a preschool teachers, except special education?
Pay here is 6% below the national median of $38,140. Local prices are 1.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,768 would in a typical U.S. city. Raleigh, NC ranks #32 of 39 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a preschool teachers, except special education afford rent in Raleigh, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Raleigh, NC is $1,596 a month ($1,750 for two bedrooms) — 63% of a median preschool teachers, except special education’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.