Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education Salary in Hickory, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

Median annual salary $28,600 -23% vs national
Median hourly $13.75
10th percentile $22,750
90th percentile $39,710
Employed locally 350
National median $37,120

Compare Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary & buying power

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Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
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Hickory, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,750
    25th
    $28,040
    50th (median)
    $28,600
    75th
    $35,340
    90th
    $39,710

    Hickory economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $60,255 2023 • Census ACS
    Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary vs area income 47% Median Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary is 53% 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 Hickory, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education $48,620
    Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education $50,830
    Substitute Teachers, Short-Term $30,620
    Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary $26,420
    Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education $51,270
    Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary $59,860

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in Hickory, NC is $13.75, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.55 or more per hour.

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

    The median Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary in Hickory, NC is 23% 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 Hickory?

    Entry-level Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education (10th percentile) earn around $22,750 per year in Hickory, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $28,040.