How much does a preschool teacher make?
Median yearly pay in the United States: half earn more and half earn less. That is $18.34 an hour or $3,178 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.34
- Average (mean)
- $43,030
- Jobs
- 478,780
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,990 | $13.94 | |
| 25th | $34,530 | $16.60 | |
| Median | $38,140 | $18.34 | |
| 75th | $47,550 | $22.86 | |
| 90th | $61,390 | $29.51 |
By state
Median yearly pay.
| District of Columbia | $62,150 |
| Vermont | $49,730 |
| Hawaii | $48,780 |
| New Jersey | $48,220 |
| Kansas | $47,750 |
| California | $47,400 |
| Nebraska | $47,040 |
| New York | $46,520 |
| Alaska | $46,130 |
| Massachusetts | $45,890 |
| Connecticut | $45,740 |
| Washington | $45,660 |
| Colorado | $45,500 |
| Oregon | $45,140 |
| Maryland | $44,600 |
| South Dakota | $44,500 |
| New Mexico | $44,070 |
| Georgia | $43,920 |
| Maine | $43,890 |
| Minnesota | $43,430 |
| Illinois | $40,910 |
| North Dakota | $39,720 |
| New Hampshire | $39,350 |
| Nevada | $38,870 |
| Louisiana | $38,020 |
| Virginia | $37,140 |
| Michigan | $37,110 |
| Rhode Island | $36,830 |
| Indiana | $36,650 |
| Montana | $36,540 |
| Delaware | $36,360 |
| Arizona | $36,300 |
| Mississippi | $36,250 |
| Wisconsin | $36,160 |
| Missouri | $36,090 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,050 |
| Florida | $35,860 |
| North Carolina | $35,710 |
| Ohio | $35,180 |
| Utah | $35,010 |
| South Carolina | $34,500 |
| Tennessee | $34,280 |
| Arkansas | $34,190 |
| Texas | $33,860 |
| Iowa | $33,830 |
| Idaho | $32,800 |
| West Virginia | $32,480 |
| Oklahoma | $31,790 |
| Wyoming | $29,930 |
| Kentucky | $29,780 |
| Alabama | $28,310 |
Highest paying cities
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Vineland, NJ | $63,340 |
| Albany, GA | $62,680 |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $59,320 |
| Brunswick, GA | $58,000 |
| Fairbanks, AK | $57,680 |
| Visalia, CA | $56,930 |
| Kahului, HI | $55,340 |
| San Francisco, CA | $53,810 |
| Houma, LA | $51,310 |
| San Jose, CA | $51,190 |
| New York, NY | $50,230 |
| Hinesville, GA | $49,690 |
| Modesto, CA | $49,500 |
| Manhattan, KS | $49,160 |
| Bridgeport, CT | $48,820 |
In other countries
Preschool Teacher belongs to the international group "Early childhood educators".
Compare pay in 140 countriesSimilar jobs
- Kindergarten Teacher$62,680
- Elementary School Teacher$63,970
- Middle School Teacher$64,370
- Career/Technical Education Teacher$65,030
- Secondary School Teacher$72,040
- Career/Technical Education Teacher$66,270
- Special Education Teacher$64,830
- Special Education Teacher$65,120
- Special Education Teacher$66,810
- Special Education Teacher$74,260
Frequently asked questions
How much does a preschool teacher make an hour?
The median hourly pay is $18.34 ($38,140 a year).
How much does a preschool teacher make a month?
About $3,178 a month before tax, based on a median of $38,140 a year.
How much does a preschool teacher make starting out?
The lowest-paid 10% make $28,990 or less a year ($13.94 an hour); the top 10% make $61,390 or more.
Which state pays preschool teachers the most?
District of Columbia, with a median of $62,150 a year, followed by Vermont ($49,730) and Hawaii ($48,780).
Which city pays preschool teachers the most?
Vineland, NJ, with a median of $63,340 a year.
How many preschool teachers are there in the United States?
About 478,780 people work as preschool teachers.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.