Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education Salary in South Carolina (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
South Carolina Median
$34,500
per year
Hourly Rate
$16.59
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-10% vs US median
US median $38,140
State Rank
#41 of 51
4,550 employed here

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

A Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education working in South Carolina earns a median salary of $34,500 per year, or about $16.59 per hour. That is 10% below the national median of $38,140 for this occupation.

Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $26,820 while the top 10% make $49,900 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $29,280 and $37,170 a year.

Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education salary range in South Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$26,820$12.89
25th percentile (early career)$29,280$14.08
50th percentile (median)$34,500$16.59
75th percentile (experienced)$37,170$17.87
90th percentile (top earners)$49,900$23.99

How South Carolina compares

South Carolina ranks 41st 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 South Carolina

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 South Carolina pay ($34,500) 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 South Carolina?
The median Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education salary in South Carolina is $34,500 per year, or about $16.59 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $26,820 at the entry level to $49,900 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education about 10% less than the national median of $38,140. South Carolina ranks 41st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $34,500 a year. About 4,550 Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education are employed in South Carolina. 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 South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), 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.