Childcare Worker Salary in Raleigh, NC
Childcare Workers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median $28,680 a year — 18% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $24,589 take-home, or $2,049 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in Raleigh, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,262
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,778
- Medicare (1.45%)$416
- North Carolina income tax$636
- Take-home pay$24,589
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
Childcare Worker pay by experience in Raleigh, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,430 | $11.26 | $20,478 | $1,707 |
| 25th percentile | $23,880 | $11.48 | $20,831 | $1,736 |
| Median (50th) | $28,680 | $13.79 | $24,589 | $2,049 |
| 75th percentile | $35,270 | $16.96 | $29,621 | $2,468 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,870 | $20.61 | $35,424 | $2,952 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $28,680 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 childcare worker's $24,589 take-home pay has the buying power of $25,050 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 Raleigh, NC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.84).
Best-paying cities for childcare workers, adjusted for cost of living
Raleigh, NC ranks #154 of 171 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Port, FL | $47,300 | $40,186 | $39,237 |
| 2 | Denver, CO | $44,320 | $36,549 | $34,552 |
| 3 | Boulder, CO | $43,380 | $35,836 | $34,064 |
| 4 | San Jose, CA | $45,720 | $37,504 | $33,964 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $43,710 | $37,301 | $33,564 |
| 6 | Modesto, CA | $41,920 | $34,652 | $33,284 |
| 7 | St. Cloud, MN | $34,030 | $28,521 | $32,546 |
| 8 | Las Cruces, NM | $34,270 | $29,210 | $32,379 |
| 154 | Raleigh, NC | $28,680 | $24,589 | $25,050 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 171 metros →
Childcare Worker salaries elsewhere in North Carolina
- Asheville, NC — $32,150
- Winston, NC — $30,060
- Durham, NC — $30,970
- Greensboro, NC — $29,240
- Charlotte, NC — $30,390
- Wilmington, NC — $29,040
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Raleigh, NC?
The median childcare worker salary in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $28,680 a year, or about $13.79 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $23,880 and $35,270.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in Raleigh, NC?
On the median $28,680 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $24,589 a year ($2,049 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $636 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 18% below the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 1.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $25,050 would in a typical U.S. city. Raleigh, NC ranks #154 of 171 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker 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) — 78% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Raleigh, NC
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $49,900
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $48,800
- First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $45,290
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $43,700
- Skincare Specialist — $42,950
- Animal Caretaker — $32,400
- Recreation Worker — $30,160
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $29,390
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $27,940