How much does a preschool teacher make in Santa Cruz?
$47,780a year
Median yearly pay for preschool teachers in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area. That is $22.97 an hour or $3,982 a month.
- Hourly
- $22.97
- Vs. national median
- +25%
- Rank among cities
- 21 of 383
- Jobs in the area
- 420
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $38,610Median: $47,780Highest 10%: $73,370
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,610 | $18.56 | |
| 25th | $44,320 | $21.31 | |
| Median | $47,780 | $22.97 | |
| 75th | $61,620 | $29.63 | |
| 90th | $73,370 | $35.27 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for preschool teachers.
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Santa Cruz
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Special Education Teacher | $101,100 |
| Teacher and Instructor | $101,100 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $99,260 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $99,230 |
| Secondary School Teacher | $98,810 |
| Career/Technical Education Teacher | $80,100 |
| Middle School Teacher | $79,490 |
| Special Education Teacher | $75,710 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Worker | $70,570 |
| Substitute Teacher | $59,900 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a preschool teacher make an hour in Santa Cruz?
The median hourly pay in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $22.97 ($47,780 a year).
Do preschool teachers make more in Santa Cruz than the national average?
Yes: $47,780 against $38,140 nationally, 25% more.
How does Santa Cruz compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $47,400, so Santa Cruz pays 1% more.
Where does Santa Cruz rank for preschool teacher pay?
21 of 383 metro areas with data.
How much does a preschool teacher make starting out in Santa Cruz?
The lowest-paid 10% make $38,610 or less a year; the top 10% make $73,370 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.