Childcare Worker salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Childcare Workers in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn a median of $28,460 a year ($13.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,920 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $34,980. Pay here is 2% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $29,140. There are 1.6 childcare workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.48). The average (mean) salary is $30,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for childcare workers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,940 | $11.03 |
| 25th percentile | $26,590 | $12.78 |
| Median | $28,460 | $13.68 |
| 75th percentile | $35,440 | $17.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,920 | $19.19 |
| Average (mean) | $30,870 | $14.84 |
Half of childcare workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,371.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,185.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,094.62 |
| Weekly | $547.31 |
| Hourly | $13.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Childcare Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | $32,150 | 520 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $32,150 | 430 |
| Burlington, NC | $31,030 | 170 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $30,970 | 800 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $30,390 | 3,790 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $30,060 | 820 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $29,790 | 2,830 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $29,590 | 130 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $29,310 | 120 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $29,240 | 900 |
| Wilmington, NC | $29,040 | 480 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $28,680 | 2,070 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $28,130 | 140 |
| Greenville, NC | $28,110 | 220 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $27,740 | 150 |
Highest-paying states for childcare workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $47,340 |
| Washington | $41,680 |
| Massachusetts | $40,900 |
| Colorado | $40,750 |
| California | $40,020 |
| Oregon | $38,650 |
| Vermont | $38,030 |
| New York | $37,590 |
| New Hampshire | $37,080 |
| Hawaii | $37,030 |
See Childcare Worker pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation Worker | $31,280 | $15.04 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $40,010 | $19.24 |
| Residential Advisor | $37,270 | $17.92 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $24,290 | $11.68 |
| Animal Caretaker | $29,310 | $14.09 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $35,100 | $16.88 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $46,990 | $22.59 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $33,530 | $16.12 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $50,760 | $24.40 |
| Funeral Attendant | $34,720 | $16.69 |
| Concierge | $29,150 | $14.02 |
| Skincare Specialist | $44,730 | $21.51 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 39-9011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The median salary for childcare workers in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $28,460 a year, or $13.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid childcare workers make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The top 10% of childcare workers in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn at least $39,920 a year. The top 25% earn $35,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for childcare workers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,940 a year, and a quarter of childcare workers earn $26,590 or less.
How many childcare workers work in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
About 250 childcare workers are employed in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.