Preschool Teacher salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A preschool teacher earns a median of $38,140 a year ($18.34 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $43,030. About 478,780 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $38,140
- Gross pay
- $1,466.92
- Federal income tax
- −$92.18
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$90.95
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$21.27
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $1,262.52
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $38,140
- Federal
- $2,397
- FICA
- $2,918
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $32,825
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
Preschool Teacher salary by state
| State | Median salary | Average | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $62,150 | $68,100 | 2,350 |
| Vermont | $49,730 | $52,520 | 940 |
| Hawaii | $48,780 | $50,670 | 1,410 |
| New Jersey | $48,220 | $56,770 | 16,190 |
| Kansas | $47,750 | $46,580 | 1,330 |
| California | $47,400 | $51,190 | 55,700 |
| Nebraska | $47,040 | $50,150 | 1,630 |
| New York | $46,520 | $51,930 | 23,870 |
| Alaska | $46,130 | $50,670 | 520 |
| Massachusetts | $45,890 | $48,460 | 18,710 |
| Connecticut | $45,740 | $50,830 | 5,230 |
| Washington | $45,660 | $48,140 | 13,210 |
| Colorado | $45,500 | $53,270 | 5,210 |
| Oregon | $45,140 | $48,130 | 6,300 |
| Maryland | $44,600 | $47,470 | 8,020 |
| South Dakota | $44,500 | $42,440 | 1,470 |
| New Mexico | $44,070 | $50,510 | 2,490 |
| Georgia | $43,920 | $47,920 | 16,850 |
| Maine | $43,890 | $45,350 | 1,110 |
| Minnesota | $43,430 | $45,130 | 10,320 |
| Illinois | $40,910 | $45,150 | 22,420 |
| North Dakota | $39,720 | $41,620 | 540 |
| New Hampshire | $39,350 | $41,950 | 2,220 |
| Nevada | $38,870 | $42,970 | 2,360 |
| Louisiana | $38,020 | $41,280 | 3,570 |
| Virginia | $37,140 | $42,490 | 13,570 |
| Michigan | $37,110 | $39,730 | 10,950 |
| Rhode Island | $36,830 | $39,850 | 1,890 |
| Indiana | $36,650 | $38,240 | 7,110 |
| Montana | $36,540 | $38,440 | 960 |
| Delaware | $36,360 | $37,240 | 2,000 |
| Arizona | $36,300 | $38,800 | 9,400 |
| Mississippi | $36,250 | $35,500 | 3,600 |
| Wisconsin | $36,160 | $36,500 | 11,330 |
| Missouri | $36,090 | $39,030 | 5,580 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,050 | $37,250 | 22,760 |
| Florida | $35,860 | $37,040 | 35,740 |
| North Carolina | $35,710 | $37,340 | 18,370 |
| Ohio | $35,180 | $36,500 | 19,840 |
| Utah | $35,010 | $36,450 | 3,670 |
| South Carolina | $34,500 | $36,190 | 4,550 |
| Tennessee | $34,280 | $41,170 | 5,420 |
| Arkansas | $34,190 | $38,180 | 3,270 |
| Texas | $33,860 | $35,970 | 41,200 |
| Iowa | $33,830 | $35,760 | 5,910 |
| Idaho | $32,800 | $35,650 | 1,010 |
| West Virginia | $32,480 | $37,650 | 2,190 |
| Oklahoma | $31,790 | $37,310 | 7,010 |
| Wyoming | $29,930 | $37,330 | 1,040 |
| Kentucky | $29,780 | $35,400 | 8,520 |
| Alabama | $28,310 | $31,160 | 7,910 |
Similar jobs
- Teaching Assistant: $36,780
- Substitute Teacher: $41,670
- Teaching Assistant: $42,910
- Tutor: $43,350
- Library Technician: $44,580
- Self-Enrichment Teacher: $46,800
- Educational Instruction and Library Worker: $50,890
- Museum Technician and Conservator: $51,440
BLS occupation: Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 25-2011). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a preschool teacher make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $18.34; the average is $20.69.
Which state pays preschool teachers the most?
District of Columbia ($62,150 median), followed by Vermont and Hawaii.
What is the salary range for a preschool teacher?
The bottom 10% earn under $28,990 and the top 10% earn over $61,390 a year.
How much is $38,140 after taxes?
About $32,825 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $31,821 in California for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.