California Median
$82,550
per year
Hourly Rate
$39.69
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+32% vs US median
US median $62,680
State Rank
#5 of 50
7,430 employed here
How much does a Kindergarten Teacher, Except Special Education make in California?
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education in California take home a median of $82,550 annually — roughly $39.69 an hour — which runs 32% above the national median of $62,680.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $53,210 while the top 10% make $124,400 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $64,100 and $107,340 a year.
Kindergarten Teacher, Except Special Education salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,210 | $25.58 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $64,100 | $30.82 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $82,550 | $39.69 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $107,340 | $51.61 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,400 | $59.81 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 5th out of 50 states and territories for Kindergarten Teacher, Except Special Education pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Kindergarten Teacher, Except Special Education salary in other states
Washington $99,960Connecticut $90,030Rhode Island $85,470Massachusetts $84,100District of Columbia $81,500New York $77,630Maryland $75,910Minnesota $75,500New Mexico $74,380New Jersey $74,210Delaware $74,030Ohio $72,570Oregon $68,580Georgia $65,680Nevada $64,930Pennsylvania $64,430Illinois $64,020Virginia $63,920Texas $63,780Michigan $63,300Vermont $63,280Utah $63,190Colorado $62,870Idaho $62,240Nebraska $62,200Wyoming $60,990South Carolina $60,890Kentucky $60,280New Hampshire $60,240North Dakota $59,420Wisconsin $59,350West Virginia $58,790Iowa $58,420Indiana $58,250Florida $58,100Tennessee $58,070Kansas $56,670Missouri $56,590North Carolina $53,180Hawaii $53,160Louisiana $53,130Arizona $52,830Maine $52,660Arkansas $52,060Alabama $50,900South Dakota $49,410Mississippi $48,880Oklahoma $47,860Montana $47,590
Working as a Kindergarten Teacher, Except Special Education in California
Nationally, about 109,000 people work as Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($82,550) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Kindergarten Teacher, Except Special Education make in California?
The median Kindergarten Teacher, Except Special Education salary in California is $82,550 per year, or about $39.69 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $53,210 at the entry level to $124,400 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education about 32% more than the national median of $62,680. California ranks 5th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $82,550 a year. About 7,430 Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Kindergarten Teacher, Except Special Education salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.