SOC 252011

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education

Instruct preschool-aged students, following curricula or lesson plans, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth. Excludes "Special Education Teachers" (25-2050), "Substitute Teachers, Short-Term" (25-3031), and "Childcare Workers" (39-9011).

National Median

$37,120

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$37,120

Entry Level (10th pct)

$28,300

Experienced (90th pct)

$60,070

Total Employed

445,080

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience LevelEstimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience$28,300 - $31,250
Mid Career2-8 years experience$31,250 - $46,550
Senior / Expert8+ years experience$46,550 - $60,070

Highest Paying Locations for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan AreaMedian SalaryEmployed
Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area$61,180400
Northwest Nebraska nonmetropolitan area$60,48080
Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ$59,110520
Vineland, NJ$58,830360
South Nebraska nonmetropolitan area$58,520180
Alaska nonmetropolitan area$55,060150
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX$54,7801,050
Northeast Nebraska nonmetropolitan area$54,410120
Nebraska$50,2701,070
Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA$49,860100
Rome, GA$49,66060
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC$49,600110
Omaha, NE-IA$49,260420
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA$49,1909,100
Modesto, CA$48,630750
Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area$48,570200
North Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area$48,340140
West Tennessee nonmetropolitan area$48,290160
North Georgia nonmetropolitan area$48,220520
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$48,2203,570
Hinesville, GA$47,79080
Grand Island, NE$47,71030
Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area$47,470100
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ$47,43031,000
Alexandria, LA$46,930190
Santa Fe, NM$46,880110
Napa, CA$46,850180
Jonesboro, AR$46,660160
Minot, ND$46,62030
Middle Georgia nonmetropolitan area$46,590260
Vallejo, CA$46,580380
New Jersey$46,57017,990
Salinas, CA$46,550420
East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area$46,480120
Northern Michigan nonmetropolitan area$46,210300
Fairbanks-College, AK$46,16050
Brunswick-St. Simons, GA$46,09090
Lake Charles, LA$46,040140
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA$45,990590
East Georgia nonmetropolitan area$45,990160
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT$45,9901,960
California$45,88049,260
Kansas nonmetropolitan area$45,740520
East North Dakota nonmetropolitan area$45,67080
Manhattan, KS$45,66060
Warner Robins, GA$45,620190
New York$45,58025,180
North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area$45,380330
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$45,3704,320
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO$45,3603,560

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education?
The national median annual salary for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education is $37,120, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.
Where do Preschool Teachers, Except Special Educations earn the most?
The highest-paying metro area for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Educations is Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area, with a median salary of $61,180.
How much can an experienced Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education make?
Top-earning Preschool Teachers, Except Special Educations (90th percentile) make $60,070 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.