Child support on $120,000 a year in North Carolina (5 children)
North Carolina guidelines effective January 1, 2023. North Carolina overview
If Parent A earns $120,000 a year, Parent B earns $40,000 and the children live mostly with Parent B (52 overnights a year with Parent A), North Carolina's guideline amount is $2,492 a month (Parent A pays Parent B).
Across the table below it ranges from $283 (Parent B earns $100,000, equal time) to $2,761 (Parent B has no income, Parent A has no overnights).
This is the guideline amount, not a court order.
Change the numbers
Guideline child support
North Carolina · 5 children · Parent A $120000 per year · Parent B $40000 per year · children live mostly with Parent B
$2,492 a month
Parent A pays Parent B
- Parent A: 75% of combined income
- Parent B: 25%
How it adds up
- Combined income
- $13,333 a month
- Basic obligation
- $3,323 a month
- Parent A's share of income
- 75%
- Guideline amount
- $2,492 a month
See the worksheet for this example
North Carolina uses the income shares model under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.4(c); North Carolina Child Support Guidelines (AOC-A-162). Official calculator: ncchildsupport.ncdhhs.gov. Child support agency: NC Department of Health and Human Services, Child Support Services.
Estimate under North Carolina's child support guidelines effective January 1, 2023. Verified against the official North Carolina sources on October 6, 2026. Not legal advice. Courts can deviate from the guidelines. How we calculate →
By parenting time and the other parent's income
| Overnights | $0 | $20,000 | $30,000 | $40,000 | $50,000 | $60,000 | $80,000 | $100,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | $2,761 A→B | $2,653 A→B | $2,571 A→B | $2,492 A→B | $2,428 A→B | $2,346 A→B | $2,243 A→B | $2,201 A→B |
| 52 | $2,761 A→B | $2,653 A→B | $2,571 A→B | $2,492 A→B | $2,428 A→B | $2,346 A→B | $2,243 A→B | $2,201 A→B |
| 104 | $2,761 A→B | $2,653 A→B | $2,571 A→B | $2,492 A→B | $2,428 A→B | $2,346 A→B | $2,243 A→B | $2,201 A→B |
| 128 | $2,689 A→B | $2,351 A→B | $2,166 A→B | $1,990 A→B | $1,833 A→B | $1,668 A→B | $1,398 A→B | $1,179 A→B |
| 182 | $2,076 A→B | $1,665 A→B | $1,453 A→B | $1,253 A→B | $1,070 A→B | $887 A→B | $569 A→B | $283 A→B |
The North Carolina worksheet for this example
| Line | Official label | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | MONTHLY GROSS INCOME (Parent A)Parent A's monthly gross income | $10,000.00 a month |
| 1 | MONTHLY GROSS INCOME (Parent B)Parent B's monthly gross income | $3,333.33 a month |
| 2 | MONTHLY ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME (Combined)Combined adjusted income | $13,333.33 a month |
| 3 | PERCENTAGE SHARE OF INCOME (Parent A)Parent A's share | 75% |
| 4 | BASIC CHILD SUPPORT OBLIGATIONSchedule amount | $3,322.67 a month |
| 9 | RECOMMENDED CHILD SUPPORT ORDERGuideline amount | $2,492.00 a month |
Open the official Worksheet A (AOC-CV-627) or B (AOC-CV-628) →
With child care and health insurance
| Costs | Guideline amount |
|---|---|
| No add-ons | $2,492 a month A→B |
| Child care $500 a month | $2,867 a month A→B |
| Child care $1,000 a month | $3,242 a month A→B |
| Health insurance $150 a month | $2,604 a month A→B |
| Health insurance $300 a month | $2,717 a month A→B |
Work-related child care and the children's health insurance premium are added and shared by income.
How North Carolina works it out
North Carolina uses the income shares model: the schedule gives the support for the parents' combined monthly gross income, and each parent is responsible for their share.
Gross income from all sources counts. Child support a parent already pays under an order is deducted, and so is the schedule amount for other children living with the parent.
When each parent has the children at least 123 nights a year, Worksheet B raises the basic obligation by half and offsets each parent's share by the time the children spend with the other parent.
Frequently asked questions
How much child support is paid on $120,000 in North Carolina for 5 children?
If Parent A earns $120,000 a year, Parent B earns $40,000 and the children live mostly with Parent B (52 overnights a year with Parent A), North Carolina's guideline amount is about $2,492 a month (Parent A pays Parent B).
How much is that a week?
That is about $575 a week (the monthly amount × 12 ÷ 52).
What if the parents share time equally?
With about equal parenting time and the same incomes, the guideline amount is about $1,253 a month (Parent A pays Parent B).
What if Parent B has no income?
If Parent B has no income and the children live mostly with Parent B, the guideline amount is about $2,761 a month (Parent A pays Parent B).
Official sources and verification
- Law: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.4(c); North Carolina Child Support Guidelines (AOC-A-162)
- North Carolina child support guidelines
- Worksheet A (AOC-CV-627) or B (AOC-CV-628)
- Official North Carolina child support calculator
- NC Department of Health and Human Services, Child Support Services
Guidelines effective January 1, 2023. Verified against the official North Carolina sources on October 6, 2026. How we calculate →