WAGE$ Participating Teacher
Program
WAGE$ Results
Results
The Child Care WAGE$® program is an evidence-informed, outcome-driven initiative designed to increase the education and retention of the early care and education workforce through increased compensation. Education-based salary supplements tied to the successful completion of commitment periods in the same child care program result in a more stable, better-educated workforce.
$9M
invested in WAGE$ salary supplements
4,075
supplement recipients
$1,227
average six-month supplement
Download WAGE$ Reports
Participants, coworkers, employers, children, families and the community at large all benefit when early educators are more fairly compensated and children have a better chance to succeed in school and in life. Thanks to funding from participating local Smart Start partnerships, the North Carolina Partnership for Children and the Division of Child Development and Early Education, WAGE$ is making a difference across the state. Please see below for Child Care WAGE$® program results.
2025
- Child Care WAGE$®: Executive Summary (FY25)
- Child Care WAGE$®: NC Statewide Overview (FY25)
- Child Care WAGE$® Program: NC Statewide Report (FY25)
2024
Video Testimonials
For WAGE$ videos made available through the North Carolina Early Education Coalition, please see the NC Needs Child Care WAGE$ playlist.
Shartarka Carmon
After receiving WAGE$ for many years, Shartarka Carmon was such a strong advocate for the program that she was invited to join and share her knowledge and experience with our Advisory Committee. In this video she talks about how WAGE$ helped her achieve her degrees! She now helps other teachers access the program.
Have questions? We can help!
Call a WAGE$ counselor at 919-967-3272. When calling please reference WAGE$. If you are a current participant please also mention the county in which you work. You can also send us a message online.
