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Preschool teacher: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$38,140median pay per year, or $18.34 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $28,990lowest 10% earn less
  2. $34,53025th percentile
  3. $38,140median
  4. $47,55075th percentile
  5. $61,390top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

Preschool teachers had a median pay of $38,140 a year, below the median for all occupations[1][2]. Jobs are projected to grow 4.5% from 2025 to 2035[3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+4.5%[3]
Openings per year
66,700[5]
Typical entry education
Associate's degree[6]

How much do preschool teachers make?

BLS counts preschool teachers, except special education, as one group. The median pay was $38,140 a year, or $18.34 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. The average was $43,030 a year, or $20.69 an hour[7].

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $28,990 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $61,390[4]. A percentile is a boundary point in the pay list. BLS does not publish a starting salary[8].

Measure Annual Hourly
10th percentile[4][9] $28,990 $13.94
25th percentile[4][9] $34,530 $16.60
Median[1] $38,140 $18.34
75th percentile[4][9] $47,550 $22.86
90th percentile[4][9] $61,390 $29.52

The median for all occupations was $50,980 a year[2]. These figures cover people paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses and the cost of benefits[10].

Pay by state and city

The District of Columbia had the top median at $62,150 a year[11]. Vermont came next at $49,730, then Hawaii at $48,780[11]. Alabama was last on the list, at $28,310[11].

The states with the most jobs were California (55,700), Texas (41,200), Florida (35,740), New York (23,870) and Pennsylvania (22,760)[12].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Vineland, NJ had the top median at $63,340[13]. Albany, GA followed at $62,680[13]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs, about 28,140, with a median of $50,230[14].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
District of Columbia[11]$62,1502,350
Vermont$49,730940
Hawaii$48,7801,410
New Jersey$48,22016,190
Kansas$47,7501,330
California$47,40055,700
Nebraska$47,0401,630
New York$46,52023,870
Alaska$46,130520
Massachusetts$45,89018,710
Connecticut$45,7405,230
Washington$45,66013,210
Colorado$45,5005,210
Oregon$45,1406,300
Maryland$44,6008,020
South Dakota$44,5001,470
New Mexico$44,0702,490
Georgia$43,92016,850
Maine$43,8901,110
Minnesota$43,43010,320
Illinois$40,91022,420
North Dakota$39,720540
New Hampshire$39,3502,220
Nevada$38,8702,360
Louisiana$38,0203,570
Virginia$37,14013,570
Michigan$37,11010,950
Rhode Island$36,8301,890
Indiana$36,6507,110
Montana$36,540960
Delaware$36,3602,000
Arizona$36,3009,400
Mississippi$36,2503,600
Wisconsin$36,16011,330
Missouri$36,0905,580
Pennsylvania$36,05022,760
Florida$35,86035,740
North Carolina$35,71018,370
Ohio$35,18019,840
Utah$35,0103,670
South Carolina$34,5004,550
Tennessee$34,2805,420
Arkansas$34,1903,270
Texas$33,86041,200
Iowa$33,8305,910
Idaho$32,8001,010
West Virginia$32,4802,190
Oklahoma$31,7907,010
Wyoming$29,9301,040
Kentucky$29,7808,520
Alabama$28,3107,910

How to become a preschool teacher

BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry education. It lists no related work experience and no on-the-job training[6]. The handbook adds that requirements differ by setting and state[15].

Some states ask for a professional credential, which can involve coursework, field experience, a written exam and an observation[20]. A few states want some work experience in child care. In those states, teachers often begin as childcare workers or teacher assistants[21].

In an O*NET survey of 32 workers, 29% said a high school diploma or equivalent was the education level required, and 17% said a bachelor's degree[22]. With so few respondents, treat this as a rough picture only.

What preschool teachers do

Preschool teachers lead children of preschool age through activities that build social, physical and intellectual skills, following a curriculum or lesson plans[23]. Tasks reported to O*NET include[24]:

The handbook highlights communication, creativity, interpersonal skills, organization and patience as useful qualities[25][26][27][28][29]. Job titles reported by workers include early childhood teacher, Pre-K teacher and Montessori preschool teacher[30].

Where they work

Child daycare services were the largest employer group in 2025, at 65%[31]. Teachers in daycare settings may work year-round with longer hours[32]. Those in public schools generally work during school hours. A common pattern is the traditional 10-month school year with a 2-month summer break, and some teach in summer programs[33]. In districts with year-round schedules, teachers usually work for 9 weeks straight, then get a 3-week break[34].

The handbook says the job can bring satisfaction from watching children learn, and that it can also be tiring to spend all day with young, active children[35].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 4.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 583,200 to 609,400 jobs[3]. All occupations together are projected to grow 3.5%[36].

About 66,700 openings a year are projected on average[5]. They include jobs left by workers who retire or switch occupations, not only new positions[5]. Each year, 4.4% of workers leave the labor force and 6.3% move to a different occupation[37].

Is it a good fit?

The facts show pay below the all-occupation median, with an associate's degree as the typical entry point[1][2][6]. Pay and education rules vary by state and setting, so local requirements matter[11][15]. Job growth is a little faster than average, and openings are projected every year[3][36][5]. The work involves daily care and teaching, and it can be tiring[24][35].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[38].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a preschool teacher make an hour?
The median was $18.34 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $20.69[1][7].
What degree do you need to be a preschool teacher?
BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry education. Public schools generally require a bachelor's degree[6][18].
Are preschool teachers in demand?
Employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[3][36]. About 66,700 openings a year are projected[5].
What is the highest paying state for preschool teachers?
The District of Columbia had the top median at $62,150 a year, ahead of Vermont at $49,730[11].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in the US was $38,140 per year and $18.34 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education is projected to grow 4.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 583,200 to 609,400 jobs (a change of +26,200). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education: 10th percentile $28,990, 25th percentile $34,530, 75th percentile $47,550, 90th percentile $61,390. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 66,700 openings for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education: education needed for entry: Associate's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education was $43,030 per year and $20.69 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education: 10th percentile $13.94, 25th percentile $16.60, 75th percentile $22.86, 90th percentile $29.52. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. Median annual wage for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education jobs: California 55,700; Texas 41,200; Florida 35,740; New York 23,870; Pennsylvania 22,760. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education (areas with at least 100 jobs): Vineland, NJ $63,340; Albany, GA $62,680; Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ $59,320; Brunswick-St. Simons, GA $58,000; Visalia, CA $56,930; Kahului-Wailuku, HI $55,340; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $53,810; Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA $51,310. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 28,140 (median $50,230); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 18,430 (median $46,600); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 17,180 (median $43,050); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 15,260 (median $36,750); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 14,500 (median $46,030); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 11,910 (median $44,660). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Other Experience. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. O*NET 25-2011.00 survey of workers (32 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 29%, Bachelor's Degree 17%, Some College Courses 12%, Master's Degree 12%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 12%, Post-Secondary Certificate 10%, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate 8% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  23. O*NET description of Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education. O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET task list for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education. O*NET OnLine
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. O*NET 25-2011.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Child Development Teacher, Early Childhood Teacher, Group Teacher, Infant Teacher, Montessori Preschool Teacher, Nursery Teacher, Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher), Teacher. O*NET OnLine
  31. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of preschool teachers in 2025: Child daycare services 65%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  37. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education: 4.4% of workers leave the labor force each year and 6.3% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  38. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.