Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education earn a median of $38,140 a year ($18.34/hr) in the U.S. – from $28,310 in Alabama to $62,150 in District of Columbia. Enter your pay below to see how you compare.
Median pay, United States$18.34/hr · $38,140 a year
Pay range
90% earn more$28,990$13.94/hr
75% earn more$34,530$16.60/hr
half earn more, half less$38,140$18.34/hr
25% earn more$47,550$22.86/hr
top 10% earn more$61,390$29.52/hr
pulled up by top earners$43,030$20.69/hr
How does my pay compare?
Enter your pay to see where you stand among preschool teachers, except special education. Nothing you type leaves your device.
Pay by state
States ranked by median annual wage for preschool teachers, except special education. Tap a state for its minimum wage.
2,350 jobs · $29.88/hr$62,150
940 jobs · $23.91/hr$49,730
1,410 jobs · $23.45/hr$48,780
16,190 jobs · $23.19/hr$48,220
1,330 jobs · $22.96/hr$47,750
55,700 jobs · $22.79/hr$47,400
1,630 jobs · $22.62/hr$47,040
23,870 jobs · $22.37/hr$46,520
520 jobs · $22.18/hr$46,130
18,710 jobs · $22.06/hr$45,890
5,230 jobs · $21.99/hr$45,740
13,210 jobs · $21.95/hr$45,660
5,210 jobs · $21.87/hr$45,500
6,300 jobs · $21.70/hr$45,140
8,020 jobs · $21.44/hr$44,600
1,470 jobs · $21.39/hr$44,500
2,490 jobs · $21.19/hr$44,070
16,850 jobs · $21.12/hr$43,920
1,110 jobs · $21.10/hr$43,890
10,320 jobs · $20.88/hr$43,430
22,420 jobs · $19.67/hr$40,910
540 jobs · $19.10/hr$39,720
2,220 jobs · $18.92/hr$39,350
2,360 jobs · $18.69/hr$38,870
3,570 jobs · $18.28/hr$38,020
13,570 jobs · $17.86/hr$37,140
10,950 jobs · $17.84/hr$37,110
1,890 jobs · $17.71/hr$36,830
7,110 jobs · $17.62/hr$36,650
960 jobs · $17.57/hr$36,540
2,000 jobs · $17.48/hr$36,360
9,400 jobs · $17.45/hr$36,300
3,600 jobs · $17.43/hr$36,250
11,330 jobs · $17.39/hr$36,160
5,580 jobs · $17.35/hr$36,090
22,760 jobs · $17.33/hr$36,050
35,740 jobs · $17.24/hr$35,860
18,370 jobs · $17.17/hr$35,710
19,840 jobs · $16.91/hr$35,180
3,670 jobs · $16.83/hr$35,010
4,550 jobs · $16.59/hr$34,500
5,420 jobs · $16.48/hr$34,280
3,270 jobs · $16.44/hr$34,190
41,200 jobs · $16.28/hr$33,860
5,910 jobs · $16.26/hr$33,830
1,010 jobs · $15.77/hr$32,800
2,190 jobs · $15.62/hr$32,480
2,960 jobs · $15.44/hr$32,120
7,010 jobs · $15.29/hr$31,790
1,040 jobs · $14.39/hr$29,930
8,520 jobs · $14.32/hr$29,780
7,910 jobs · $13.61/hr$28,310
Related jobs
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), SOC code 25-2011. Wages exclude the self-employed. All jobs · Minimum wage by state
Questions & answers
How much do preschool teachers, except special education make?
The median wage for preschool teachers, except special education in the U.S. was $18.34 an hour or $38,140 a year in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $34,530 and $47,550 a year.
Which state pays preschool teachers, except special education the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage for preschool teachers, except special education: $62,150 a year. The lowest published median is in Alabama at $28,310. Living costs also differ a lot between states.
How many preschool teachers, except special education are there?
BLS estimates 478,780 preschool teachers, except special education were employed in the U.S. in May 2025, not counting the self-employed.
What is the difference between median and average pay?
The median is the middle wage: half of workers earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) adds everyone up and divides, so a few very high earners pull it up. The median is usually the better guide to typical pay.
What does the 10th or 90th percentile mean?
The 10th percentile is the wage that only 10% of workers earn less than – often entry-level pay. The 90th percentile is the wage that only 10% earn more than – usually the most experienced or highest-paid workers.