How much does a preschool teacher make in Chicago?
$43,050a year
Median yearly pay for preschool teachers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $20.70 an hour or $3,588 a month.
- Hourly
- $20.70
- Vs. national median
- +13%
- Rank among cities
- 90 of 383
- Jobs in the area
- 17,180
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $36,650Median: $43,050Highest 10%: $61,120
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,650 | $17.62 | |
| 25th | $37,750 | $18.15 | |
| Median | $43,050 | $20.70 | |
| 75th | $47,250 | $22.72 | |
| 90th | $61,120 | $29.38 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for preschool teachers.
| Rockford, IL | $46,730 |
| Decatur, IL | $42,740 |
| Champaign, IL | $39,510 |
| Springfield, IL | $38,300 |
| Kankakee, IL | $38,030 |
| Peoria, IL | $37,850 |
| Bloomington, IL | $37,720 |
| Davenport, IA | $37,200 |
| St. Louis, MO | $37,020 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $29,830 |
| Paducah, KY | $28,010 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Economics Teacher | $124,400 |
| Engineering Teacher | $110,300 |
| Agricultural Sciences Teacher | $105,400 |
| Architecture Teacher | $104,400 |
| Geography Teacher | $103,300 |
| Biological Science Teacher | $102,000 |
| Law Teacher | $101,800 |
| Health Specialties Teacher | $101,000 |
| Area | $100,800 |
| Political Science Teacher | $100,700 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a preschool teacher make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $20.70 ($43,050 a year).
Do preschool teachers make more in Chicago than the national average?
Yes: $43,050 against $38,140 nationally, 13% more.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $40,910, so Chicago pays 5% more.
Where does Chicago rank for preschool teacher pay?
90 of 383 metro areas with data.
How much does a preschool teacher make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $36,650 or less a year; the top 10% make $61,120 or more.
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.