How Much Does a Preschool Teacher Make? (2025)
Preschool teachers are responsible for designing and structuring the curriculum, as well as monitoring students' progress to ensure activities meet the children's needs. They work with young students, typically in public or private elementary schools, a standalone preschool, or an early childhood education program.
Preschool teachers' work also includes overseeing the educational activities of children within the daycare classroom, participating in parent conferences to discuss children's growth and development, and maintaining a clean, safe, and nurturing environment.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for preschool teachers is expected to increase by 4% from 2024 to 2034, with an estimated 65,500 job openings every year.
This salary guide will thoroughly discuss the overview of a preschool teacher salary, as well as factors that affect the compensation of these early childhood educators, the necessary steps to have higher pay, and some related frequently asked questions.
What is the Average Preschool Teacher's Salary?
As of September 5, 2025, the average preschool teacher salary in the United States is $43,190 per year. The compensation usually ranges from $33,389 to $51,137, with most preschool teachers earning around $38,060 to $47,350.
2025 Average Salary for Preschool Teachers: $43,190 per year ($21 per hour)
The average preschool teacher salary per month is $3,599, while the average weekly rate is $831.
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $16 | $642 | $2,782 | $33,389 |
| 25th Percentile | $18 | $732 | $3,172 | $38,060 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $21 | $831 | $3,599 | $43,190 |
| 75th Percentile | $23 | $911 | $3,946 | $47,350 |
| 90th Percentile | $25 | $983 | $4,261 | $51,137 |
Preschool Teacher Salaries State by State
Preschool teacher salaries vary from state to state due to key factors, such as the cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
The state with the highest average annual preschool teacher salary is the District of Columbia, at $47,820, followed by California, at $47,640, and Massachusetts, at $47,000.
Meanwhile, the state with the lowest average annual salary is Mississippi at $38,520, followed by West Virginia at $38,890 and Arkansas at $39,020.
| States | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $46,750 |
| Alabama | $39,680 |
| Arkansas | $39,020 |
| Arizona | $42,080 |
| California | $47,640 |
| Colorado | $44,070 |
| Connecticut | $46,160 |
| District of Columbia | $47,820 |
| Delaware | $43,740 |
| Florida | $40,780 |
| Georgia | $41,660 |
| Hawaii | $45,140 |
| Iowa | $41,330 |
| Idaho | $40,320 |
| Illinois | $44,020 |
| Indiana | $41,460 |
| Kansas | $41,130 |
| Kentucky | $40,640 |
| Louisiana | $41,070 |
| Massachusetts | $47,000 |
| Maryland | $44,530 |
| Maine | $42,110 |
| Michigan | $42,530 |
| Minnesota | $44,200 |
| Missouri | $41,040 |
| Mississippi | $38,520 |
| Montana | $40,780 |
| North Carolina | $41,040 |
| North Dakota | $42,660 |
| Nebraska | $40,690 |
| New Hampshire | $43,660 |
| New Jersey | $46,810 |
| New Mexico | $40,000 |
| Nevada | $42,750 |
| New York | $45,910 |
| Ohio | $42,050 |
| Oklahoma | $39,930 |
| Oregon | $43,860 |
| Pennsylvania | $43,000 |
| Rhode Island | $44,780 |
| South Carolina | $40,470 |
| South Dakota | $39,250 |
| Tennessee | $40,360 |
| Texas | $42,130 |
| Utah | $41,360 |
| Virginia | $43,490 |
| Vermont | $42,390 |
| Washington | $46,830 |
| Wisconsin | $42,490 |
| West Virginia | $38,890 |
| Wyoming | $41,420 |
What are the Best-Paying Cities for Preschool Teachers?
The cities that give the best salary for preschool teachers are shown in the table below. With an average annual pay of $54,470, San Jose, California, is the best-paying city.
| Cities | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| San Jose, California | $54,470 ($26 per hour) |
| San Francisco, California | $53,940 ($26 per hour) |
| Oakland, California | $52,740 ($25 per hour) |
| New York, New York | $50,050 ($24 per hour) |
| Queens Village, New York | $49,730 ($24 per hour) |
| Paramus, New Jersey | $49,380 ($24 per hour) |
How Does Experience Affect Preschool Teacher Salaries?
Just like any profession, a higher experience level will lead to higher pay when it comes to preschool teacher salaries.
With less than a year of experience, an entry-level position will have an average starting salary of $41,127. An intermediate-level preschool teacher with 1 to 2 years of experience gets $41,509.
A senior preschool teacher with 2 to 4 years of experience will have $44,126, while a specialist with 5 to 8 years of experience usually gets $45,062 on average. The most experienced preschool teacher is at the expert level with over 8 years of practice, earning $45,374.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Preschool Teacher | $41,127 |
| Intermediate Level Preschool Teacher | $41,509 |
| Senior Level Preschool Teacher | $44,126 |
| Specialist Level Preschool Teacher | $45,062 |
| Expert Level Preschool Teacher | $45,374 |
How to Increase Salary as a Preschool Teacher?
The job position of a preschool teacher usually requires an associate's degree in center-based Head Start programs. Depending on settings and state regulations, half of the preschool teachers in the United States must have a bachelor's degree in early childhood education or related fields, such as psychology, and experience in teaching preschool-age children or as childcare workers.
Alongside a degree, a specific state or school may require an educator preparation program, certifications, and a teaching license. Here are ways to increase the salary of preschool teachers:
Preschool Teacher Advancements
- Earn higher education and license: Higher wages await preschool teachers who have a bachelor's degree in early childhood education and a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or a state-issued certification for preschool teaching.
- Work at public schools: Public and private schools have different earning potentials. Career in public preschools tends to have a higher salary and benefits, especially those with school district affiliations and funding from the state Pre-K programs, while private childcare centers usually offer lower pay but may provide flexibility and other perks.
- Venture into special education: Special education teachers usually get paid more than the general preschool teachers due to more specialized training, complex responsibilities, and demand and shortage. According to the BLS in 2024, special education teachers earn a median annual wage of $61,960, while preschool teachers who are not in special education earn $37,120.
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Apply in high-paying sectors: Industries differ in compensation, so you must choose the high-paying ones. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are the top industries with high annual median salaries for preschool teachers:
- Junior colleges: $60,280
- Elementary and secondary schools: $56,060
- Social advocacy organizations: $53,670
- Special hospitals (except psychiatric and substance abuse): $48,600
- Colleges, universities, and professional schools: $47,440
Preschool Teacher Skills
According to Salary.com's Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report, physical education and physical activity skills give the highest increase in salary for preschool teachers at 13.11%, followed by skills in childcare at 13.06% and behavior management at 12.76%.
Other significant skills with high salary increases are interactive whiteboards (12.31%), classroom management (11.78%), and health screening (11.71%). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the important qualities for preschool teachers include communication skills, social skills, patience, physical stamina, and creativity.
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Education and Physical Activity | 10.40% | +13.11% |
| Childcare | 10.50% | +13.06% |
| Behavior Management | 10.30% | +12.76% |
| Interactive Whiteboards | 10.90% | +12.31% |
| Classroom Management | 10.60% | +11.78% |
| Health Screening | 10.90% | +11.71% |
What are the FAQs About Preschool Teacher Salaries?
Here are some common questions about preschool teacher jobs and salary:
What is the highest-paid preschool teacher?
The highest-paid preschool teachers are those who have extensive experience, work in in-demand geographical locations, and high-paying industries. For example, the expert-level preschool teacher earns $45,374; those in San Jose, California, can earn $54,470, while preschool teachers working in junior colleges get $60,280.
What's the average salary for a preschool teacher in the US?
As of September 5, 2025, the average preschool teacher salary in the United States is $43,190 per year. The compensation usually ranges from $33,389 to $51,137, with most preschool teachers earning around $38,060 to $47,350.
What are the typical duties of a preschool teacher?
The typical duties of a preschool teacher include teaching children basic skills, such as numbers and letters, planning and carrying out curriculum for the different areas of child development, organizing schedules and activities to explore interests and skills, monitoring signs of emotional and developmental issues in each child, keeping a record of children's progress, and reporting them back to the child's parents.
