SOC 25-2012 · Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro

Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education Salary in Durham, NC

The average salary for kindergarten teachers (except special education) in Durham, North Carolina is $53,190 a year, according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $50,320: half of the 240 people in this job in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 23% less than the U.S. average for this job ($69,370).

$53,190average per year

Median $50,320Take-home ≈ $43,305

  • $44K10th
  • $46K25th
  • $50KMedian
  • $58K75th
  • $72K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

240people in this job
-23%vs U.S. average
#4 of 11North Carolina metros
98cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education pay range in Durham

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $43,610 a year or less, while the top 10% make $71,870 or more. The middle half of kindergarten teachers (except special education) in Durham earn between $46,400 and $57,680.

  • $44K10th
  • $46K25th
  • $50KMedian
  • $58K75th
  • $72K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$53,190$4,432—
Median$50,320$4,193—
Entry level (25th percentile)$46,400$3,867—
Experienced (75th percentile)$57,680$4,807—

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year (BLS publishes this job's pay as annual only). Hourly to annual salary.

Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education pay in Durham vs. North Carolina and the U.S.

Kindergarten teachers (except special education) in Durham earn about the same as the North Carolina average ($53,120) and 23% less than the U.S. average ($69,370). At the median the gap is -20% against the U.S. median of $62,680.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Durham$53,190$50,320$43,610$71,870240
North Carolina$53,120$53,180$40,760$63,6202,250
United States$69,370$62,680$46,990$101,830108,870

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education salary after taxes in Durham

On the average salary of $53,190, a single filer in Durham takes home about $43,305 a year, or $3,609 a month and $1,666 every two weeks. Taxes take 19% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).

North Carolina paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Durham a good place for kindergarten teachers (except special education)? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Durham area are 2% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 97.6), so the average $53,190 buys what about $54,514 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Durham ($60,720). A typical home costs $414,340, or 7.8 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $53,190 is worth in another city

Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education salary in other North Carolina cities

Durham ranks 4th of 11 North Carolina metro areas for this job; Charlotte pays the most ($60,730).

All Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education salaries in North Carolina

Highest-paying cities for kindergarten teachers (except special education)

Modesto, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($107,550).

Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education salary by city

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Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education salary in Durham: questions

What is the entry-level kindergarten teachers (except special education) salary in Durham?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $43,610 a year and the 25th percentile is $46,400, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the kindergarten teachers (except special education) take-home pay in Durham?

About $43,305 a year ($3,609 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $53,190.

Do kindergarten teachers (except special education) earn more in Durham than elsewhere?

The average here is 23% less than the U.S. average for this job ($69,370).

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 25-2012; area Durham-Chapel Hill, NC (20500). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.6%.
  • 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 1.01, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.

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