Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education pay range in Hickory
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $28,580 a year or less, while the top 10% make $44,820 or more. The middle half of preschool teachers (except special education) in Hickory earn between $29,470 and $36,600.
- $29K10th
- $29K25th
- $33KMedian
- $37K75th
- $45K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $34,110 | $2,842 | $16.40 |
| Median | $32,970 | $2,748 | $15.85 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $29,470 | $2,456 | $14.17 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $36,600 | $3,050 | $17.60 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education pay in Hickory vs. North Carolina and the U.S.
Preschool teachers (except special education) in Hickory earn 9% less than the North Carolina average ($37,340) and 21% less than the U.S. average ($43,030). At the median the gap is -14% against the U.S. median of $38,140.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hickory | $34,110 | $32,970 | $28,580 | $44,820 | 350 |
| North Carolina | $37,340 | $35,710 | $28,700 | $47,530 | 18,370 |
| United States | $43,030 | $38,140 | $28,990 | $61,390 | 478,780 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary after taxes in Hickory
On the average salary of $34,110, a single filer in Hickory takes home about $28,735 a year, or $2,395 a month and $1,105 every two weeks. Taxes take 16% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Hickory a good place for preschool teachers (except special education)? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Hickory area are 12% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 88.5), so the average $34,110 buys what about $38,548 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.7 times the median wage of all jobs in Hickory ($45,220). A typical home costs $271,739, or 8.0 years of this average salary before tax.
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary in other North Carolina cities
Hickory ranks 11th of 15 North Carolina metro areas for this job; Charlotte pays the most ($39,000).
- Charlotte$39,000
- Asheville$38,390
- Durham$38,320
- Raleigh$37,930
- Pinehurst$36,650
- Wilmington$36,490
- Greensboro$36,230
- Winston-Salem$35,320
- Burlington$35,220
- Hickory$34,110
All Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salaries in North Carolina
Highest-paying cities for preschool teachers (except special education)
Vineland, NJ pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($62,570).
- Vineland, NJ$62,570
- Albany, GA$62,070
- Atlantic City, NJ$58,560
- Brunswick, GA$58,180
- Denver, CO$57,250
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Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary in Hickory: questions
How much do preschool teachers (except special education) make an hour in Hickory?
$16.40 an hour on average, and $15.85 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level preschool teachers (except special education) salary in Hickory?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $28,580 a year and the 25th percentile is $29,470, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the preschool teachers (except special education) take-home pay in Hickory?
About $28,735 a year ($2,395 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $34,110.
Do preschool teachers (except special education) earn more in Hickory than elsewhere?
The average here is 21% less than the U.S. average for this job ($43,030).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 25-2011; area Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC (25860). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.0%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.73, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.73).
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