How much does a preschool teacher earn? The answer depends on which number you use and what kind of job you mean. The latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook lists a median annual wage of 37,120 dollars for preschool teachers in May 2024, equal to 17.85 dollars per hour. That figure is a useful national starting point, but it is not a promise of what every teacher will make.
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Preschool teacher pay at a glance
Here are the most useful national figures to keep in view. The dates matter because wage estimates change as the labor market and cost of living change.
- Median pay: 37,120 dollars per year, or 17.85 dollars per hour, in May 2024, according to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
- Lower end: The lowest-paid 10 percent earned less than 28,300 dollars per year in May 2024.
- Upper end: The highest-paid 10 percent earned more than 60,070 dollars per year in May 2024.
- Job outlook: BLS projects 4 percent employment growth from 2024 through 2034 and about 65,500 openings each year on average, including openings created when workers leave the occupation.
These figures describe preschool teachers as an occupation. They do not describe childcare workers, special education teachers, kindergarten teachers, or every job that happens to involve young children. For the source definition and the full national profile, see the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile for preschool teachers.
What is the difference between median and average pay?
Median pay is the middle value: half of workers earn more and half earn less. Because very high or very low wages do not pull the middle value in either direction, median pay is often the clearest number for answering what a typical worker earns.
Average pay usually means mean pay: add all reported wages together and divide by the number of workers. A small number of higher-paying jobs can pull the mean above the median. Neither number is automatically better. Median pay helps describe the middle of the market, while mean pay helps describe the arithmetic average of the reported wages.
For example, the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) national estimate for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education reported mean pay of 41,410 dollars per year, or 19.91 dollars per hour in May 2023. The same table reported a median of 37,130 dollars per year, or 17.85 dollars per hour. The small difference between that median and the 37,120-dollar figure in the May 2024 Occupational Outlook Handbook reflects a different BLS product and reference year. It does not mean an individual teacher’s pay changed by exactly that amount. Review the BLS OEWS May 2023 national estimates for the definitions and full wage distribution.
How do hourly and annual preschool teacher pay compare?
Hourly and annual pay describe the same compensation in different ways, but they are not always interchangeable. The BLS May 2024 median of 17.85 dollars per hour is close to 37,128 dollars when multiplied by 2,080 hours, the common full-time comparison of 40 hours per week for 52 weeks. That calculation is only an estimate.
- Hourly pay is useful when comparing part-time, substitute, seasonal, or variable schedules.
- Annual pay is useful when comparing full-time offers, budgets, and total yearly income.
- Paid weeks matter: a school-year position may not pay for all 52 weeks unless the employer spreads pay across the year.
- Benefits matter: health coverage, retirement contributions, paid leave, tuition support, and predictable hours affect the value of an offer but are not included in the hourly wage alone.
Before comparing two offers, ask how many hours are guaranteed, whether planning time is paid, how breaks are handled, whether the position runs year-round, and how the employer schedules summer or holiday closures.
Where do preschool teachers earn more or less?
Work setting is one of the clearest reasons preschool teacher pay varies. In its May 2024 profile, BLS reported median annual wages for preschool teachers in several major industries. The table below shows those figures.
| Industry | Median annual wage | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Educational services, state, local, and private | 50,710 dollars | May include public or private education employers with different requirements. |
| Individual and family services | 42,910 dollars | Roles and funding models can vary by program. |
| Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations | 42,340 dollars | Job duties and benefits depend on the organization. |
| Child daycare services | 36,060 dollars | Many positions operate year-round and may use different schedules. |
These are occupation-level BLS estimates, not salary quotes from a particular employer. They also should not be used to rank every school or childcare center. A job’s responsibilities, funding, schedule, benefits, and local labor market can all change the offer.
Why the source and date matter
BLS wage tables use occupation codes and survey methods. The Occupational Outlook Handbook and OEWS tables may use different reference periods or labels, so their figures will not always match exactly. A job posting may also use a broader title than the BLS occupation. Treat the numbers as a benchmark, then confirm the duties, required education, schedule, and pay range for the actual opening.
Want training that fits around work? Learn what a CDA can mean for preschool teachers, then check the requirements that apply to your state and target employer.
Which factors affect a preschool teacher’s salary?
The national median is a reference point, not a personal salary calculator. Employers commonly consider several factors when setting pay:
1. Location and local cost of labor
Wages differ by state, metropolitan area, and community. A region with higher operating costs or stronger competition for qualified educators may advertise higher wages, while a lower-cost area may show lower nominal pay. Use BLS state and area data, state licensing information, and current local job postings together rather than relying on a national figure alone.
2. Work setting and funding
A public-school pre-K program, Head Start program, private preschool, and childcare center may have different pay scales and eligibility requirements. BLS notes that education and training expectations vary by setting and state. Ask whether the role is classroom-based, assistant-level, lead-teacher, or tied to a specific early learning program.
3. Education, credentials, and state requirements
Some positions accept a high school diploma, experience, or a short credential, while others require an associate or bachelor’s degree and a state license. BLS lists an associate’s degree as the typical entry-level education for preschool teachers, while also explaining that public schools and some programs may require more. A CDA can be part of a professional development plan, but it does not guarantee a particular salary, promotion, or job offer. Always compare the credential with the actual requirements in the job description and your state’s rules.
4. Experience and classroom responsibility
Experience with lesson planning, child observation, family communication, inclusive practices, and classroom leadership may help a candidate qualify for roles with more responsibility. The value of experience depends on how the employer defines the position and how it evaluates prior work.
5. Schedule, hours, and benefits
A higher hourly rate may not produce higher annual income if the position offers fewer guaranteed hours or fewer paid weeks. Compare the complete offer: scheduled hours, planning time, paid holidays, leave, insurance, retirement contributions, professional development, and any summer or school-break schedule.
Does a CDA guarantee a higher preschool teacher salary?
No. A CDA credential does not guarantee a specific wage. Pay depends on the employer, setting, location, job duties, experience, and applicable state or program requirements. A credential may help an educator meet a qualification or compete for a role, but the employer decides how that credential fits its pay scale.
If you are considering a CDA, start with the job descriptions and state requirements for the positions you want. National CDA Training provides CDA requirements guidance and online training resources, but your training choice should be based on the credential requirements, schedule, support, and learning format that fit your situation.
Ready to map your next step? Contact National CDA Training with questions about CDA training and how it fits into your early childhood career plan.
How can you use salary data when comparing jobs?
Use wage data as a conversation starter and research baseline. A careful comparison keeps a national statistic from being mistaken for a personal quote. Follow these steps:
- Identify the role: Confirm whether the opening is for a preschool teacher, assistant teacher, childcare worker, lead teacher, or another occupation.
- Check the setting: Note whether the employer is a public school, private preschool, Head Start program, childcare center, or nonprofit organization.
- Compare dated data: Review BLS national, state, and area figures, then compare them with the employer’s current range.
- Read the full offer: Compare guaranteed hours, paid planning time, benefits, paid weeks, leave, professional development, and advancement expectations.
- Ask about placement: Find out how experience, education, credentials, classroom responsibilities, and related skills affect the starting wage.
A strong comparison also considers purchasing power. A larger number in one city may not provide more financial room after housing, transportation, insurance, and other expenses. Local data can help you understand the market, but your household budget and the details of the offer still matter.
It is also wise to separate earnings questions from career-fit questions. Preschool teaching involves planning, supervision, family communication, documentation, and daily care as well as instruction. A position may be a good fit when the compensation, schedule, support, and responsibilities align with your goals, even if its wage is close to the national median rather than the top of the range.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average preschool teacher salary?
The average, or mean, depends on the data set and year. The BLS OEWS national estimate for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education, reported mean pay of 41,410 dollars per year, or 19.91 dollars per hour, in May 2023. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook reported median pay of 37,120 dollars in May 2024. Always check the measure and date before comparing figures.
How much do preschool teachers make per hour?
The BLS May 2024 median for preschool teachers was 17.85 dollars per hour. Individual offers can be lower or higher because location, setting, schedule, education, experience, job duties, and benefits vary. An hourly rate also does not tell you how many hours or paid weeks the employer guarantees, so review the whole schedule.
Can a CDA help me earn more as a preschool teacher?
A CDA may help an educator meet a qualification or compete for a role, but it does not guarantee a specific wage, raise, promotion, or job offer. Employers use different pay scales, and state or program requirements differ. Compare the credential with the job descriptions you want, then ask each employer how it affects hiring and pay placement.
Do preschool teachers get paid during school breaks?
It depends on the employer and schedule. Some preschool teachers work year-round, while others work a school-year schedule. An annual salary may be spread across the year, or the position may pay only for scheduled weeks. Ask about summer work, holiday closures, paid leave, payroll distribution, and guaranteed hours before comparing annual compensation.
Where can I find preschool teacher pay by state?
The BLS Preschool Teachers profile links to state and area data, and the OEWS program publishes geographic wage estimates. You can also review your state’s early childhood licensing agency and current job postings. Use more than one source because published data may cover a different year, occupation code, employer type, or geographic area than the position you are considering.
Key takeaway: how much does a preschool teacher earn?
The latest BLS median for preschool teachers is 37,120 dollars per year, or 17.85 dollars per hour, in May 2024. BLS mean pay was 41,410 dollars per year, or 19.91 dollars per hour, in May 2023 for the narrower OEWS occupation category. The right number for you depends on the location, setting, schedule, education requirements, experience, responsibilities, and benefits attached to the job.
Use dated government data to set expectations, read each offer carefully, and treat a CDA as professional preparation rather than a salary guarantee.