How much does a preschool teacher make in California?
$47,400a year
Median yearly pay for preschool teachers in California. That is $22.79 an hour or $3,950 a month.
- Hourly
- $22.79
- Vs. national median
- +24%
- Rank among states
- 6 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 55,700
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $37,870Median: $47,400Highest 10%: $65,350
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,870 | $18.21 | |
| 25th | $43,910 | $21.11 | |
| Median | $47,400 | $22.79 | |
| 75th | $59,150 | $28.44 | |
| 90th | $65,350 | $31.42 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Visalia, CA | $56,930 |
| San Francisco, CA | $53,810 |
| San Jose, CA | $51,190 |
| Modesto, CA | $49,500 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $48,130 |
| Merced, CA | $48,120 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $47,780 |
| Salinas, CA | $47,280 |
| Vallejo, CA | $46,960 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $46,710 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $46,600 |
| Stockton, CA | $46,470 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $46,200 |
| Oxnard, CA | $46,120 |
| Riverside, CA | $46,010 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $45,880 |
| Napa, CA | $45,660 |
| Yuba City, CA | $45,240 |
| Hanford, CA | $45,040 |
| San Diego, CA | $44,940 |
| Fresno, CA | $44,740 |
| Redding, CA | $44,580 |
| El Centro, CA | $44,370 |
| Sacramento, CA | $44,250 |
| Chico, CA | $44,080 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for preschool teachers.
| 3. Hawaii | $48,780 |
| 4. New Jersey | $48,220 |
| 5. Kansas | $47,750 |
| 6. California | $47,400 |
| 7. Nebraska | $47,040 |
| 8. New York | $46,520 |
| 9. Alaska | $46,130 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a preschool teacher make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $22.79 ($47,400 a year).
Do preschool teachers make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $47,400 against $38,140 nationally, 24% more.
Where does California rank for preschool teacher pay?
California ranks 6 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays preschool teachers the most?
Visalia, CA, with a median of $56,930 a year.
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.