How much does a preschool teacher make?
The median preschool teacher in the United States earns $38,140 per year, about $18.34 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all preschool teachers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 25-2011.
Preschool teacher salary range
Pay for preschool teachers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $28,990 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $61,390. The average (mean) wage of $43,030 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $28,990 | $13.94 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $34,530 | $16.60 | |
| Median (50th) | $38,140 | $18.34 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $47,550 | $22.86 | |
| 90th percentile | $61,390 | $29.52 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for preschool teachers, except special education (SOC 25-2011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Preschool teacher salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Preschool teachers earn the most in District of Columbia at $62,150 a year, and the least in Alabama at $28,310. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $62,150 | 2,350 |
| Vermont | $49,730 | 940 |
| Hawaii | $48,780 | 1,410 |
| New Jersey | $48,220 | 16,190 |
| Kansas | $47,750 | 1,330 |
| California | $47,400 | 55,700 |
| Nebraska | $47,040 | 1,630 |
| New York | $46,520 | 23,870 |
| Alaska | $46,130 | 520 |
| Massachusetts | $45,890 | 18,710 |
| Connecticut | $45,740 | 5,230 |
| Washington | $45,660 | 13,210 |
| Colorado | $45,500 | 5,210 |
| Oregon | $45,140 | 6,300 |
| Maryland | $44,600 | 8,020 |
| South Dakota | $44,500 | 1,470 |
| New Mexico | $44,070 | 2,490 |
| Georgia | $43,920 | 16,850 |
| Maine | $43,890 | 1,110 |
| Minnesota | $43,430 | 10,320 |
| Illinois | $40,910 | 22,420 |
| North Dakota | $39,720 | 540 |
| New Hampshire | $39,350 | 2,220 |
| Nevada | $38,870 | 2,360 |
| Louisiana | $38,020 | 3,570 |
| Virginia | $37,140 | 13,570 |
| Michigan | $37,110 | 10,950 |
| Rhode Island | $36,830 | 1,890 |
| Indiana | $36,650 | 7,110 |
| Montana | $36,540 | 960 |
| Delaware | $36,360 | 2,000 |
| Arizona | $36,300 | 9,400 |
| Mississippi | $36,250 | 3,600 |
| Wisconsin | $36,160 | 11,330 |
| Missouri | $36,090 | 5,580 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,050 | 22,760 |
| Florida | $35,860 | 35,740 |
| North Carolina | $35,710 | 18,370 |
| Ohio | $35,180 | 19,840 |
| Utah | $35,010 | 3,670 |
| South Carolina | $34,500 | 4,550 |
| Tennessee | $34,280 | 5,420 |
| Arkansas | $34,190 | 3,270 |
| Texas | $33,860 | 41,200 |
| Iowa | $33,830 | 5,910 |
| Idaho | $32,800 | 1,010 |
| West Virginia | $32,480 | 2,190 |
| Oklahoma | $31,790 | 7,010 |
| Wyoming | $29,930 | 1,040 |
| Kentucky | $29,780 | 8,520 |
| Alabama | $28,310 | 7,910 |
State median wages for preschool teachers, except special education (SOC 25-2011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for preschool teachers
The BLS projects employment of preschool teachers to grow 4.5% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 583,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 609,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 66,700 openings a year for preschool teachers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a preschool teacher
The typical entry-level education for preschool teachers is an associate's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a preschool teacher earns
District budget, level taught, degree, and region drive pay, along with years of service on a step-and-lane salary schedule. High cost metros and senior educators land near the top.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $62,150) and the lowest (Alabama, $28,310) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 478,780 people work as preschool teachers in the United States. At $38,140 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Preschool teacher salary FAQ
How much does a preschool teacher make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a preschool teacher is $18.34. The middle half of preschool teachers earn between $16.60 and $22.86 per hour.
What is the highest preschool teacher salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of preschool teachers earn more than $61,390 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a preschool teacher make a year?
The median annual salary for a preschool teacher is $38,140. The average (mean) wage of $43,030 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a preschool teacher a well paid job?
At $38,140 a year, a preschool teacher earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 478,780 people work as preschool teachers in the United States.
Which state pays preschool teachers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for preschool teachers at $62,150 a year. Vermont ($49,730) and Hawaii ($48,780) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a preschool teacher a good career?
Employment of preschool teachers is projected to grow 4.5% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 66,700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a preschool teacher?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for preschool teachers as an associate's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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