Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education Salary in Durham, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Median annual salary $34,850 -6.1% vs national
Median hourly $16.76
10th percentile $28,650
90th percentile $46,940
Employed locally 1,180
National median $37,120

Compare Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary & buying power

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Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
in
Durham, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $28,650
    25th
    $30,210
    50th (median)
    $34,850
    75th
    $37,130
    90th
    $46,940

    Durham economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $81,017 2023 • Census ACS
    Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary vs area income 43% Median Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary is 57% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area $61,180
    Northwest Nebraska nonmetropolitan area $60,480
    Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ $59,110
    Vineland, NJ $58,830
    South Nebraska nonmetropolitan area $58,520
    Alaska nonmetropolitan area $55,060

    Nearby metros — Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $49,190
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $43,770
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $39,620
    Lincoln, NE $37,510
    Winchester, VA-WV $37,230
    Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area $37,110

    Related occupations in Durham, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education $50,970
    Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary $28,960
    Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education $58,950
    Instructional Coordinators $63,470
    Substitute Teachers, Short-Term $32,940
    Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education $52,170

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education make per hour in Durham?

    The median hourly wage for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in Durham, NC is $16.76, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.86 or more per hour.

    Is Durham above or below average for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salaries?

    The median Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary in Durham, NC is 6.1% below the national median of $37,120. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in Durham?

    Entry-level Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education (10th percentile) earn around $28,650 per year in Durham, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $30,210.