Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education Salary in Iowa (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in Iowa, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Iowa Median
$33,830
per year
Hourly Rate
$16.26
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-11% vs US median
US median $38,140
State Rank
#45 of 51
5,910 employed here

How much does a Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education make in Iowa?

A Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education working in Iowa earns a median salary of $33,830 per year, or about $16.26 per hour. That is 11% below the national median of $38,140 for this occupation.

Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $27,730 while the top 10% make $48,390 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $29,240 and $37,550 a year.

Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education salary range in Iowa

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$27,730$13.33
25th percentile (early career)$29,240$14.06
50th percentile (median)$33,830$16.26
75th percentile (experienced)$37,550$18.05
90th percentile (top earners)$48,390$23.26

How Iowa compares

Iowa ranks 45th out of 51 states and territories for Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$62,150
2Vermont$49,730
3Hawaii$48,780
4New Jersey$48,220
5Kansas$47,750

Working as a Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education in Iowa

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 Iowa pay ($33,830) 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 Iowa?
The median Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education salary in Iowa is $33,830 per year, or about $16.26 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $27,730 at the entry level to $48,390 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education about 11% less than the national median of $38,140. Iowa ranks 45th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $33,830 a year. About 5,910 Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education are employed in Iowa. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), 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.