How much does a Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education make?
The median pay for a Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education in the United States is $38,140 per year — about $18.34 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $28,990, while the most experienced Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in the top 10% earn $61,390.
That is $23,250 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education salary range by percentile
Half of all Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education earn between $34,530 and $47,550 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,990 | $13.94 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $34,530 | $16.60 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $38,140 | $18.34 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $47,550 | $22.86 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,390 | $29.51 |
Highest-paying states for Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. District of Columbia leads the country for Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education pay at $62,150 a year, followed by Vermont ($49,730) and Hawaii ($48,780). At the other end, Alabama posts the lowest median at $28,310 — a gap of $33,840 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $62,150 | $29.88 | +63% |
| 2 | Vermont | $49,730 | $23.91 | +30% |
| 3 | Hawaii | $48,780 | $23.45 | +28% |
| 4 | New Jersey | $48,220 | $23.18 | +26% |
| 5 | Kansas | $47,750 | $22.96 | +25% |
Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 51 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 479,000 people work as Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $43,030 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education make in the United States?
How does Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education pay compare to other jobs?
Which state pays Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education the most?
How long does it take to become a Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education?
How many Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education work in the United States?
Related salaries
Other education roles with similar pay.