California Median
$59,550
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.63
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-8% vs US median
US median $64,830
State Rank
#31 of 45
2,510 employed here
How much does a Special Education Teacher, Preschool make in California?
A Special Education Teacher, Preschool working in California earns a median salary of $59,550 per year, or about $28.63 per hour. That is 8% below the national median of $64,830 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $38,050 while the top 10% make $117,700 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,400 and $83,370 a year.
Special Education Teacher, Preschool salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,050 | $18.29 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,400 | $23.27 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $59,550 | $28.63 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $83,370 | $40.08 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $117,700 | $56.59 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 31st out of 45 states and territories for Special Education Teacher, Preschool pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Special Education Teacher, Preschool salary in other states
Massachusetts $99,070New Jersey $92,060Connecticut $87,960Washington $86,580Maryland $85,010Pennsylvania $83,510Alaska $80,390Vermont $79,000Colorado $78,040Virginia $77,570Oregon $77,490Minnesota $75,880Michigan $75,860Hawaii $75,120Georgia $72,310New York $68,180New Mexico $66,010Texas $65,680Iowa $63,540Nebraska $62,760Illinois $62,580Missouri $62,250New Hampshire $61,720Wisconsin $60,870Ohio $60,700Maine $60,680North Carolina $60,180Arizona $60,130North Dakota $60,060South Carolina $59,800Tennessee $59,550Rhode Island $59,310Delaware $59,250Kansas $59,220Florida $58,240Utah $58,230Louisiana $56,890Kentucky $54,220Mississippi $52,420Wyoming $52,100Oklahoma $49,720Idaho $49,610Indiana $48,680Arkansas $35,580
Working as a Special Education Teacher, Preschool in California
Nationally, about 30,000 people work as Special Education Teachers, Preschool in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($59,550) 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 Special Education Teacher, Preschool make in California?
The median Special Education Teacher, Preschool salary in California is $59,550 per year, or about $28.63 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,050 at the entry level to $117,700 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Special Education Teachers, Preschool about 8% less than the national median of $64,830. California ranks 31st out of 45 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Special Education Teachers, Preschool?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $59,550 a year. About 2,510 Special Education Teachers, Preschool are employed in California. 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 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 Special Education Teacher, Preschool 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.