California Median
$47,400
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.79
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+24% vs US median
US median $38,140
State Rank
#6 of 51
55,700 employed here
How much does a Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education make in California?
A Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education working in California earns a median salary of $47,400 per year, or about $22.79 per hour. That is 24% above the national median of $38,140 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $37,870 while the top 10% make $65,350 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $43,910 and $59,150 a year.
Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,870 | $18.21 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $43,910 | $21.11 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $47,400 | $22.79 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $59,150 | $28.44 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,350 | $31.42 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 6th out of 51 states and territories for Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education salary in other states
District of Columbia $62,150Vermont $49,730Hawaii $48,780New Jersey $48,220Kansas $47,750Nebraska $47,040New York $46,520Alaska $46,130Massachusetts $45,890Connecticut $45,740Washington $45,660Colorado $45,500Oregon $45,140Maryland $44,600South Dakota $44,500New Mexico $44,070Georgia $43,920Maine $43,890Minnesota $43,430Illinois $40,910North Dakota $39,720New Hampshire $39,350Nevada $38,870Louisiana $38,020Virginia $37,140Michigan $37,110Rhode Island $36,830Indiana $36,650Montana $36,540Delaware $36,360Arizona $36,300Mississippi $36,250Wisconsin $36,160Missouri $36,090Pennsylvania $36,050Florida $35,860North Carolina $35,710Ohio $35,180Utah $35,010South Carolina $34,500Tennessee $34,280Arkansas $34,190Texas $33,860Iowa $33,830Idaho $32,800West Virginia $32,480Oklahoma $31,790Wyoming $29,930Kentucky $29,780Alabama $28,310
Working as a Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education in California
Nationally, about 479,000 people work as Preschool 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 ($47,400) 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 Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education make in California?
The median Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education salary in California is $47,400 per year, or about $22.79 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,870 at the entry level to $65,350 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education about 24% more than the national median of $38,140. California ranks 6th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $47,400 a year. About 55,700 Preschool 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 Preschool 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.