Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education Salary
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education earn a median $38,140 a year nationally. Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
U.S. median
$38,140
$18.34 per hour
Range
$28,990 – $61,390
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
478,780
across the U.S.
▲2.7%
Pay trend: The median for preschool teachers, except special education in the U.S. rose from $37,120 (May 2024) to $38,140 (May 2025). That roughly kept pace with inflation (2.4%).
What preschool teachers, except special education do
Instruct preschool-aged students, following curricula or lesson plans, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth.
- Typical education
- Associate's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +4.5% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 66,700
Employment of preschool teachers, except special education is projected to grow 4.5% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 66,700 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$32,825
per year · effective tax rate 13.9%
$2,735Monthly
$1,368Twice a month
$1,263Every 2 weeks
$15.78Hourly
- Federal income tax$2,397
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,365
- Medicare (1.45%)$553
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$32,825
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,990 | $13.94 | $25,473 |
| 25th percentile | $34,530 | $16.60 | $29,925 |
| Median (50th) | $38,140 | $18.34 | $32,825 |
| 75th percentile | $47,550 | $22.86 | $40,386 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,390 | $29.51 | $51,507 |
Best cities for preschool teachers, except special education (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $51,190 | $41,525 | $37,605 | 3,570 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $53,810 | $43,439 | $37,573 | 10,280 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $50,230 | $40,424 | $35,913 | 28,140 |
| 4 | Denver, CO | $45,680 | $37,582 | $35,528 | 3,210 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $46,380 | $39,446 | $35,495 | 8,590 |
| 6 | Riverside, CA | $46,010 | $37,721 | $35,438 | 3,560 |
| 7 | Minneapolis, MN | $43,960 | $35,969 | $34,314 | 7,650 |
| 8 | Boston, MA | $46,030 | $37,084 | $34,252 | 14,500 |
| 9 | Sacramento, CA | $44,250 | $36,400 | $34,124 | 3,070 |
| 10 | Portland, OR | $45,310 | $35,452 | $33,629 | 3,950 |
| 11 | Los Angeles, CA | $46,600 | $38,164 | $33,605 | 18,430 |
| 12 | Chicago, IL | $43,050 | $34,784 | $33,577 | 17,180 |
| 13 | Washington, DC | $44,660 | $36,551 | $33,568 | 11,910 |
| 14 | San Diego, CA | $44,940 | $36,918 | $32,996 | 5,130 |
| 15 | Atlanta, GA | $39,870 | $32,769 | $32,750 | 10,630 |
| 16 | St. Louis, MO | $37,020 | $31,123 | $32,731 | 3,680 |
| 17 | Cleveland, OH | $35,520 | $30,526 | $32,501 | 3,750 |
| 18 | Indianapolis, IN | $37,030 | $30,871 | $32,259 | 3,130 |
| 19 | Cincinnati, OH | $35,430 | $30,456 | $31,935 | 4,390 |
| 20 | Columbus, OH | $35,370 | $30,409 | $31,853 | 4,890 |
| 21 | Austin, TX | $36,160 | $31,235 | $31,851 | 4,280 |
| 22 | Jacksonville, FL | $36,330 | $31,371 | $31,534 | 3,110 |
| 23 | Milwaukee, WI | $36,240 | $30,485 | $31,449 | 3,950 |
| 24 | Pittsburgh, PA | $35,650 | $29,730 | $31,404 | 3,890 |
| 25 | Charlotte, NC | $36,480 | $30,545 | $31,377 | 4,570 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- San Francisco, CA — $53,810
- San Jose, CA — $51,190
- New York, NY — $50,230
- Los Angeles, CA — $46,600
- Seattle, WA — $46,380
- Boston, MA — $46,030
- Riverside, CA — $46,010
- Denver, CO — $45,680
- Portland, OR — $45,310
- San Diego, CA — $44,940
- Washington, DC — $44,660
- Sacramento, CA — $44,250
- Minneapolis, MN — $43,960
- Chicago, IL — $43,050
- Atlanta, GA — $39,870
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $62,150 | +37.8% | $49,524 | $40,240 – $108,270 | 2,350 |
| Vermont | $49,730 | +11.1% | $40,906 | $36,650 – $66,020 | 940 |
| Hawaii | $48,780 | +8.9% | $39,179 | $37,160 – $64,110 | 1,410 |
| New Jersey | $48,220 | +3.5% | $39,808 | $37,020 – $86,910 | 16,190 |
| Kansas | $47,750 | +10.5% | $38,682 | $27,850 – $61,790 | 1,330 |
| California | $47,400 | +3.3% | $38,756 | $37,870 – $65,350 | 55,700 |
| Nebraska | $47,040 | −6.4% | $38,716 | $31,620 – $73,620 | 1,630 |
| New York | $46,520 | +2.1% | $37,644 | $36,050 – $75,660 | 23,870 |
| Alaska | $46,130 | +22.0% | $39,245 | $35,090 – $76,950 | 520 |
| Massachusetts | $45,890 | +1.9% | $36,978 | $35,890 – $60,440 | 18,710 |
| Connecticut | $45,740 | +6.0% | $37,799 | $35,460 – $80,400 | 5,230 |
| Washington | $45,660 | +5.3% | $38,868 | $38,080 – $60,130 | 13,210 |
| Colorado | $45,500 | +3.7% | $37,446 | $35,820 – $84,700 | 5,210 |
| Oregon | $45,140 | +14.7% | $35,330 | $35,680 – $63,550 | 6,300 |
| Maryland | $44,600 | +15.7% | $36,261 | $35,760 – $67,510 | 8,020 |
| South Dakota | $44,500 | +33.4% | $37,936 | $30,980 – $56,370 | 1,470 |
| New Mexico | $44,070 | +16.3% | $36,663 | $32,270 – $79,560 | 2,490 |
| Georgia | $43,920 | +3.8% | $35,813 | $28,150 – $77,130 | 16,850 |
| Maine | $43,890 | +18.4% | $35,665 | $36,170 – $60,110 | 1,110 |
| Minnesota | $43,430 | +12.4% | $35,571 | $36,060 – $61,190 | 10,320 |
| Illinois | $40,910 | +9.9% | $33,171 | $36,030 – $60,890 | 22,420 |
| North Dakota | $39,720 | −9.7% | $34,095 | $25,990 – $59,560 | 540 |
| New Hampshire | $39,350 | +4.9% | $33,798 | $34,670 – $51,470 | 2,220 |
| Nevada | $38,870 | +8.1% | $33,412 | $30,100 – $64,590 | 2,360 |
| Louisiana | $38,020 | +4.5% | $31,975 | $23,700 – $59,970 | 3,570 |
| Virginia | $37,140 | −0.5% | $30,701 | $30,290 – $60,710 | 13,570 |
| Michigan | $37,110 | +1.1% | $30,671 | $30,310 – $50,720 | 10,950 |
| Rhode Island | $36,830 | +2.2% | $31,009 | $31,200 – $46,180 | 1,890 |
| Indiana | $36,650 | +3.8% | $30,577 | $28,720 – $50,920 | 7,110 |
| Montana | $36,540 | +2.7% | $30,579 | $28,370 – $49,550 | 960 |
| Delaware | $36,360 | +15.9% | $30,054 | $31,200 – $44,270 | 2,000 |
| Arizona | $36,300 | +3.0% | $30,648 | $31,760 – $47,790 | 9,400 |
| Mississippi | $36,250 | +36.2% | $30,589 | $20,980 – $53,370 | 3,600 |
| Wisconsin | $36,160 | +3.5% | $30,425 | $28,530 – $46,090 | 11,330 |
| Missouri | $36,090 | +2.8% | $30,419 | $29,030 – $54,610 | 5,580 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,050 | +5.3% | $30,039 | $29,590 – $46,460 | 22,760 |
| Florida | $35,860 | +4.6% | $30,994 | $29,550 – $46,980 | 35,740 |
| North Carolina | $35,710 | +15.3% | $29,957 | $28,700 – $47,530 | 18,370 |
| Ohio | $35,180 | +7.4% | $30,262 | $27,260 – $48,240 | 19,840 |
| Utah | $35,010 | +2.3% | $29,701 | $28,770 – $47,300 | 3,670 |
| South Carolina | $34,500 | +3.7% | $28,988 | $26,820 – $49,900 | 4,550 |
| Tennessee | $34,280 | −4.7% | $29,724 | $27,160 – $64,480 | 5,420 |
| Arkansas | $34,190 | +13.8% | $28,531 | $27,190 – $56,690 | 3,270 |
| Texas | $33,860 | +0.0% | $29,387 | $26,430 – $49,680 | 41,200 |
| Iowa | $33,830 | +13.6% | $28,729 | $27,730 – $48,390 | 5,910 |
| Idaho | $32,800 | +15.8% | $27,905 | $26,500 – $46,950 | 1,010 |
| West Virginia | $32,480 | +9.7% | $27,429 | $23,520 – $58,810 | 2,190 |
| Oklahoma | $31,790 | −16.3% | $26,838 | $23,100 – $58,130 | 7,010 |
| Wyoming | $29,930 | +2.3% | $26,229 | $23,600 – $58,880 | 1,040 |
| Kentucky | $29,780 | −0.7% | $25,184 | $23,490 – $51,760 | 8,520 |
| Alabama | $28,310 | +2.5% | $23,773 | $21,150 – $47,350 | 7,910 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $62,680 | Bachelor's degree | -0.3% |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $63,970 | Bachelor's degree | -0.4% |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $64,370 | Bachelor's degree | -0.4% |
| Special Education Teachers, Preschool | $64,830 | Bachelor's degree | +2.4% |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School | $65,030 | Bachelor's degree | -0.5% |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $65,120 | Bachelor's degree | -0.4% |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School | $66,270 | Bachelor's degree | -0.4% |
| Special Education Teachers, Middle School | $66,810 | Bachelor's degree | -0.4% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $72,040 | Bachelor's degree | -0.2% |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $74,260 | Bachelor's degree | -0.2% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a preschool teachers, except special education make?
The national median salary for preschool teachers, except special education is $38,140 a year ($18.34 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $28,990 and the top 10% earn over $61,390. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays preschool teachers, except special education the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median pay at $62,150. After taxes and local prices, San Jose, CA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many preschool teachers, except special education are there in the U.S.?
About 478,780 people work as preschool teachers, except special education nationwide.
All 39 cities
- Atlanta, GA
- Austin, TX
- Baltimore, MD
- Boston, MA
- Charlotte, NC
- Chicago, IL
- Cincinnati, OH
- Cleveland, OH
- Columbus, OH
- Dallas, TX
- Denver, CO
- Detroit, MI
- Houston, TX
- Indianapolis, IN
- Jacksonville, FL
- Los Angeles, CA
- Louisville, KY
- Miami, FL
- Milwaukee, WI
- Minneapolis, MN
- New York, NY
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Orlando, FL
- Philadelphia, PA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Portland, OR
- Providence, RI
- Raleigh, NC
- Riverside, CA
- Sacramento, CA
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Seattle, WA
- St. Louis, MO
- Tampa, FL
- Washington, DC