Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for preschool teachers, except special education in the United States was $38,140 ($18.34 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,990 | $13.94 |
| 25th | $34,530 | $16.60 |
| Median | $38,140 | $18.34 |
| 75th | $47,550 | $22.86 |
| 90th | $61,390 | $29.52 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 25-2011
- Total U.S. employment: 478,780
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
What the data says
For career planning: entry-level pay (10th percentile) is about $28,990, median pay is $38,140, and experienced pay (90th percentile) reaches $61,390.
Pay spans a wide range: workers at the 10th percentile earn about $28,990, while those at the 90th percentile earn about $61,390 — a 2.1x gap between entry-level and top earners.
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $28,310 | $13.61 | -25.8% | 7,910 |
| Alaska | $46,130 | $22.18 | +20.9% | 520 |
| Arizona | $36,300 | $17.45 | -4.8% | 9,400 |
| Arkansas | $34,190 | $16.44 | -10.4% | 3,270 |
| California | $47,400 | $22.79 | +24.3% | 55,700 |
| Colorado | $45,500 | $21.87 | +19.3% | 5,210 |
| Connecticut | $45,740 | $21.99 | +19.9% | 5,230 |
| Delaware | $36,360 | $17.48 | -4.7% | 2,000 |
| District of Columbia | $62,150 | $29.88 | +63.0% | 2,350 |
| Florida | $35,860 | $17.24 | -6.0% | 35,740 |
| Georgia | $43,920 | $21.12 | +15.2% | 16,850 |
| Hawaii | $48,780 | $23.45 | +27.9% | 1,410 |
| Idaho | $32,800 | $15.77 | -14.0% | 1,010 |
| Illinois | $40,910 | $19.67 | +7.3% | 22,420 |
| Indiana | $36,650 | $17.62 | -3.9% | 7,110 |
| Iowa | $33,830 | $16.26 | -11.3% | 5,910 |
| Kansas | $47,750 | $22.96 | +25.2% | 1,330 |
| Kentucky | $29,780 | $14.32 | -21.9% | 8,520 |
| Louisiana | $38,020 | $18.28 | -0.3% | 3,570 |
| Maine | $43,890 | $21.10 | +15.1% | 1,110 |
| Maryland | $44,600 | $21.44 | +16.9% | 8,020 |
| Massachusetts | $45,890 | $22.06 | +20.3% | 18,710 |
| Michigan | $37,110 | $17.84 | -2.7% | 10,950 |
| Minnesota | $43,430 | $20.88 | +13.9% | 10,320 |
| Mississippi | $36,250 | $17.43 | -5.0% | 3,600 |
| Missouri | $36,090 | $17.35 | -5.4% | 5,580 |
| Montana | $36,540 | $17.57 | -4.2% | 960 |
| Nebraska | $47,040 | $22.62 | +23.3% | 1,630 |
| Nevada | $38,870 | $18.69 | +1.9% | 2,360 |
| New Hampshire | $39,350 | $18.92 | +3.2% | 2,220 |
| New Jersey | $48,220 | $23.19 | +26.4% | 16,190 |
| New Mexico | $44,070 | $21.19 | +15.5% | 2,490 |
| New York | $46,520 | $22.37 | +22.0% | 23,870 |
| North Carolina | $35,710 | $17.17 | -6.4% | 18,370 |
| North Dakota | $39,720 | $19.10 | +4.1% | 540 |
| Ohio | $35,180 | $16.91 | -7.8% | 19,840 |
| Oklahoma | $31,790 | $15.29 | -16.6% | 7,010 |
| Oregon | $45,140 | $21.70 | +18.4% | 6,300 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,050 | $17.33 | -5.5% | 22,760 |
| Rhode Island | $36,830 | $17.71 | -3.4% | 1,890 |
| South Carolina | $34,500 | $16.59 | -9.5% | 4,550 |
| South Dakota | $44,500 | $21.39 | +16.7% | 1,470 |
| Tennessee | $34,280 | $16.48 | -10.1% | 5,420 |
| Texas | $33,860 | $16.28 | -11.2% | 41,200 |
| Utah | $35,010 | $16.83 | -8.2% | 3,670 |
| Vermont | $49,730 | $23.91 | +30.4% | 940 |
| Virginia | $37,140 | $17.86 | -2.6% | 13,570 |
| Washington | $45,660 | $21.95 | +19.7% | 13,210 |
| West Virginia | $32,480 | $15.62 | -14.8% | 2,190 |
| Wisconsin | $36,160 | $17.39 | -5.2% | 11,330 |
| Wyoming | $29,930 | $14.39 | -21.5% | 1,040 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers — $76,210/yr
- Carpenters — $60,580/yr
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses — $64,400/yr
- Cooks, Fast Food — $30,890/yr
- Sales Managers — $148,270/yr
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $62,890/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for preschool teachers, except special education?
The median annual wage for preschool teachers, except special education is $38,140 ($18.34 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays preschool teachers, except special education the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many preschool teachers, except special education are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 478,780 preschool teachers, except special education employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do preschool teachers, except special education make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $18.34. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.