Preschool teacher salaries depend on location, education, experience, employer, and the type of preschool program. In the United States, the latest available figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), published in its Occupational Outlook Handbook, report a median annual wage of $38,140 in May 2025, equivalent to approximately $18.34 per hour.
The median is the midpoint: half of preschool teachers earned more and half earned less. Some earn considerably more, particularly in certain educational services settings, while others earn less in childcare center positions. These figures provide a useful national benchmark, but they are not a guaranteed salary for every teacher.
What Happened? The Latest Preschool Teacher Salary Figures
The BLS’s latest occupational information provides a national picture of preschool teacher pay, employment, and career prospects. The figures cover the United States and refer to May 2025 wage data, rather than a single employer or a specific state.
The headline figure is the median annual wage of $38,140 for preschool teachers, excluding special education teachers. The BLS also reports that the lowest-paid 10% earned less than $28,990 annually, while the highest-paid 10% earned more than $61,390.
These numbers show why it is important to look beyond one average or advertised salary. A teacher working in a private childcare center may receive a different salary from someone employed by a public school or another educational organization.
The latest figures also show that preschool teaching remains an established occupation. The BLS projected employment growth of 4% between 2025 and 2035, with approximately 66,700 openings expected each year on average. Many openings are expected to come from workers leaving the occupation or the labor force, rather than from newly created jobs alone.
Key Details: Preschool Teacher Salary at a Glance
| Salary measure | U.S. figure |
|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $38,140 |
| Approximate hourly equivalent | $18.34 |
| Lowest-paid 10% | Less than $28,990 per year |
| Highest-paid 10% | More than $61,390 per year |
| Median in educational services | $52,800 per year |
| Median in child daycare services | $36,850 per year |
| Projected employment growth, 2025–2035 | 4% |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 wage estimates. Hourly pay is the BLS figure; actual wages vary by job and schedule.
The table highlights a major factor in preschool teacher pay: where someone works can matter as much as the job title itself.
The $38,140 median applies to preschool teachers generally, excluding special education. The separate industry figures show that teachers employed in educational services had a higher median wage than those in child daycare services. These are national industry comparisons, not salary guarantees for individual schools.
Background: What Does a Preschool Teacher Do?
Preschool teachers educate and care for children who are younger than five and have not yet entered kindergarten. Their work helps children develop early language, social, physical, and thinking skills.
Typical responsibilities include:
- Planning age-appropriate lessons and activities.
- Teaching basic concepts such as numbers, colors, shapes, and letters.
- Reading stories, organizing art projects, and leading play-based learning.
- Supporting children’s social skills, cooperation, and communication.
- Maintaining routines for learning, rest, and physical activity.
- Observing children’s progress and communicating with families.
- Keeping classroom materials organized and maintaining a safe learning environment.
The role involves more than supervising children. Teachers plan learning experiences, adapt activities for different needs, and help children build the skills they will use in later schooling.
These responsibilities can also affect salary. A lead teacher who plans lessons and coordinates a classroom may have different duties from an assistant teacher or childcare worker. Those positions should not automatically be treated as equivalent when comparing pay.
The BLS explains the occupation’s responsibilities and work environment in its Preschool Teachers profile.
How Much Do Preschool Teachers Make Per Hour, Month, and Year?
The BLS reports a median annual wage of $38,140 and a median hourly equivalent of $18.34. For easier budgeting, the annual figure can be divided into approximate monthly and weekly amounts.
Illustrative pay based on the $38,140 annual median
Per year
$38,140
Per month
$3,178
Per week
$734
Per hour
$18.34
Monthly and weekly amounts are arithmetic estimates using the annual median. They are not separate BLS wage estimates and do not account for taxes, benefits, unpaid breaks, or time off.
These calculations assume the annual salary is spread evenly over 12 months and 52 weeks. Actual paychecks depend on the employment agreement, hours worked, and pay schedule.
A teacher working part-time or only during a traditional school year may receive less over the full year than a year-round full-time worker at the same hourly rate. Conversely, some teachers receive benefits or paid time off that affect the overall value of their compensation.
For this reason, job seekers should compare both hourly wages and the number of paid hours or weeks included in an offer.
How Much Do Preschool Teachers Make by Workplace?
The employer and setting can have a substantial influence on earnings. According to the BLS, median annual wages for preschool teachers in selected industries in May 2025 were:
| Industry | Median annual wage |
|---|---|
| Educational services; state, local, and private | $52,800 |
| Individual and family services | $45,550 |
| Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations | $44,810 |
| Child daycare services | $36,850 |
Public and private school programs
Preschool teachers in school-based educational programs may have different pay structures from teachers employed by childcare centers. Salary schedules, qualifications, benefits, and whether the role is full-time can all influence total compensation.
However, the BLS industry category for educational services includes state, local, and private educational services. Its median should not be interpreted as the salary of every public-school preschool teacher.
Childcare centers
Child daycare services employ a large share of preschool teachers. In these settings, teachers may work year-round and have longer schedules than those following a traditional school calendar.
The BLS reported a May 2025 median of $36,850 for preschool teachers in child daycare services. Individual offers can still differ by location, experience, employer, and job responsibilities.
Community and nonprofit organizations
Some preschool teachers work for religious, civic, grantmaking, professional, or other community organizations. The BLS reported a median of $44,810 for the combined industry category.
Because these are broad national categories, the figures are best used for general comparisons. They cannot tell a job seeker exactly what one nonprofit or community preschool will pay.
What Factors Affect Preschool Teacher Salaries?
Several factors help explain why preschool teachers can earn different amounts even when they have similar job titles.
1. Location and cost of living
Pay varies across states, metropolitan areas, and local labor markets. Employers in areas with higher living costs or different staffing needs may offer different wages.
A higher salary does not always mean greater purchasing power. Rent, transportation, health insurance, and other expenses can reduce the practical value of a paycheck.
To compare local pay, use the BLS’s state and area occupational wage data. Select preschool teachers and compare the relevant state or metropolitan area.
2. Education and qualifications
Education requirements depend on the employer and state regulations. The BLS says preschool teachers typically need at least an associate’s degree, but requirements vary by setting.
Public-school positions commonly require a bachelor’s degree and a relevant teaching license. Center-based Head Start programs also have specific education requirements.
A degree or credential can help qualify someone for particular positions, but it does not guarantee a specific salary increase. Applicants should check the requirements and pay scale for the job they want.
3. Experience and responsibility
Experience may help teachers qualify for lead-teacher roles, curriculum responsibilities, or supervisory positions. Some employers have formal salary steps based on experience or qualifications; others use different pay structures.
When comparing offers, look at classroom size, planning duties, supervision responsibilities, and whether the position involves mentoring other staff.
4. Full-time versus part-time schedules
An hourly wage alone does not show how much someone will earn in a year. A teacher working fewer hours or fewer paid weeks may have a lower annual income even if the hourly rate is similar.
Ask employers whether the position is year-round, whether school breaks are paid, and whether preparation time and staff meetings count as paid hours.
5. Benefits and additional compensation
Some employers offer health insurance, retirement contributions, paid leave, professional development, or tuition assistance. Others may offer fewer benefits.
Benefits should be considered alongside wages, but their availability and value must be confirmed with the employer. Do not assume that every preschool teacher receives the same package.
What Officials and Organizations Say About the Career
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is the principal source for the national wage and employment figures used in this article. Its Occupational Outlook Handbook reports the median wage, industry comparisons, education requirements, and employment projections.
The BLS also notes that preschool teachers typically use play and other teaching techniques to support children’s language, motor, and social development. Their responsibilities include organizing learning activities, maintaining routines, observing children’s progress, and communicating with families.
For the career outlook, the agency projects 4% employment growth from 2025 to 2035 and about 66,700 openings per year on average. These are projections, not a guarantee that a specific area will have a particular number of vacancies.
The agency’s information provides a national benchmark. Local employers, state licensing rules, and school or childcare salary schedules remain important when assessing an individual opportunity.
Why Preschool Teacher Pay Matters
Preschool teachers help children build foundational skills before kindergarten. Their work includes teaching, planning, communication with families, and supporting children’s everyday care and development.
Understanding pay matters for several groups:
- Job seekers can evaluate whether a role fits their income needs and career plans.
- Current teachers can compare their compensation with national and local benchmarks.
- Students can assess education and qualification requirements before choosing a career path.
- Employers and families can better understand the compensation differences across early childhood settings.
Salary is only one part of a career decision. Work hours, classroom conditions, management support, benefits, professional development, and opportunities for advancement can also influence whether a position is a good fit.
How to Research Preschool Teacher Salaries in Your Area
If you want to know how much preschool teachers make where you live, use the national median as a starting point rather than the final answer.
- Search local job listings. Compare several current openings and note the stated hourly or annual range.
- Check official wage data. Use the BLS state and metropolitan wage tools to examine local estimates.
- Confirm qualification requirements. Review state licensing rules and the employer’s education requirements.
- Calculate annual earnings. Consider the hourly rate, paid hours per week, and number of paid weeks per year.
- Compare benefits. Ask about paid holidays, health insurance, retirement, and professional development.
- Review the actual duties. Check whether the role is an assistant, lead teacher, childcare worker, or special education position.
These steps provide a more accurate picture than relying on a single salary website or a broad national average.
What Happens Next for Preschool Teacher Employment?
The BLS projects preschool teacher employment to grow by 4% between 2025 and 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. It also estimates approximately 66,700 openings annually over that period.
Many openings are expected because workers leave their positions or exit the labor force, including through retirement. The projection therefore includes replacement needs as well as employment growth.
These figures suggest that openings are likely to remain part of the national employment picture, but prospects vary by location and employer. They do not guarantee a job or a salary increase.
People considering this career should review local job postings, education requirements, and pay schedules before investing in additional training. Current teachers can use the latest wage data to prepare for salary discussions, while remembering that experience, responsibilities, benefits, and local conditions all matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much do preschool teachers make a year?
The U.S. median annual wage was $38,140 in May 2025, according to the BLS. Individual salaries vary by location, qualifications, employer, and schedule.
2. How much do preschool teachers make an hour?
The BLS reports an hourly equivalent of $18.34 for the national median. Actual hourly wages vary, and annual salary calculations depend on paid hours and weeks.
3. Do preschool teachers make $50,000 a year?
Some do. The BLS reported that preschool teachers in the educational services industry had a median annual wage of $52,800 in May 2025. That figure does not represent all preschool teachers, and many earn less.
4. What is the lowest salary for a preschool teacher?
The BLS reported that the lowest-paid 10% of preschool teachers earned less than $28,990 annually in May 2025. This is a percentile benchmark, not a legal minimum wage or a fixed starting salary.
5. Do preschool teachers need a degree?
Requirements vary by state and employer. The BLS says preschool teachers typically need at least an associate’s degree, while public-school positions commonly require a bachelor’s degree and a relevant license.
6. Do preschool teachers earn more in schools than in daycare centers?
National BLS industry data show a higher median for preschool teachers in educational services than in child daycare services in May 2025. However, actual salaries depend on the specific employer, location, position, and qualifications.
7. Is preschool teaching a growing career?
The BLS projects 4% employment growth from 2025 to 2035 and approximately 66,700 openings per year on average. These are national projections, not a guarantee of local vacancies.
8. How can I find preschool teacher salaries by state?
Use the BLS’s Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics tools to select preschool teachers and view state or metropolitan estimates. Compare those figures with current job listings and local living costs.
Conclusion
So, how much do preschool teachers make? In the United States, the latest BLS data show a median annual wage of $38,140, or approximately $18.34 per hour, in May 2025. Pay can be higher or lower depending on the workplace, location, qualifications, experience, and employment schedule.
Teachers considering a new role should compare local salary estimates, paid hours, benefits, and job responsibilities before deciding whether an offer meets their needs. The national median is a useful starting point, but the most relevant figure is the one that reflects the specific position and area.
