Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education Salary by State (2024)
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 50 states compared · Updated: 2026-03-31
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education Salary in All 50 States
Compare Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education pay across the country. Click any state for the full salary breakdown including percentiles, employment numbers, and related jobs.
| State | Median Salary | Mean Salary | Entry Level | Top Earners | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | $50,270 | $50,760 | $29,280 | $68,230 | 1,070 |
| New Jersey | $46,570 | $52,770 | $31,470 | $78,010 | 17,990 |
| California | $45,880 | $48,560 | $36,860 | $60,890 | 49,260 |
| New York | $45,580 | $50,050 | $34,720 | $73,320 | 25,180 |
| Massachusetts | $45,030 | $48,630 | $36,490 | $72,920 | 15,380 |
| Hawaii | $44,780 | $45,700 | $35,210 | $60,100 | 1,370 |
| Vermont | $44,760 | $46,490 | $35,640 | $62,310 | 1,480 |
| North Dakota | $43,990 | $43,580 | $29,640 | $59,120 | 570 |
| Colorado | $43,890 | $50,020 | $35,240 | $81,280 | 5,970 |
| Washington | $43,350 | $44,670 | $36,090 | $55,420 | 13,020 |
| Kansas | $43,200 | $43,110 | $25,950 | $61,500 | 1,570 |
| Connecticut | $43,160 | $48,570 | $33,510 | $78,090 | 6,190 |
| Georgia | $42,330 | $45,760 | $28,600 | $70,490 | 11,230 |
| Oregon | $39,360 | $43,580 | $31,030 | $57,870 | 6,740 |
| Minnesota | $38,650 | $43,340 | $35,080 | $59,030 | 10,830 |
| Maryland | $38,560 | $45,990 | $32,020 | $65,800 | 7,960 |
| Oklahoma | $37,970 | $40,150 | $22,620 | $60,890 | 5,230 |
| New Mexico | $37,900 | $47,120 | $27,770 | $78,960 | 2,460 |
| Alaska | $37,820 | $48,000 | $33,920 | $74,060 | 560 |
| New Hampshire | $37,500 | $39,660 | $31,420 | $48,630 | 2,340 |
| Virginia | $37,320 | $42,300 | $29,480 | $61,210 | 12,030 |
| Illinois | $37,220 | $41,500 | $30,960 | $57,250 | 20,290 |
| Maine | $37,070 | $40,780 | $34,980 | $50,280 | 1,430 |
| Michigan | $36,720 | $39,070 | $29,490 | $50,240 | 10,790 |
| Louisiana | $36,390 | $39,940 | $21,390 | $58,840 | 2,730 |
| Rhode Island | $36,040 | $38,400 | $29,120 | $51,700 | 1,470 |
| Tennessee | $35,980 | $41,080 | $26,980 | $61,880 | 4,890 |
| Nevada | $35,970 | $38,510 | $28,160 | $59,370 | 2,570 |
| Montana | $35,590 | $36,770 | $28,960 | $48,480 | 1,100 |
| Indiana | $35,320 | $36,570 | $28,430 | $47,570 | 6,830 |
| Arizona | $35,240 | $37,250 | $30,660 | $45,720 | 9,500 |
| Missouri | $35,120 | $38,230 | $28,190 | $52,950 | 5,980 |
| Wisconsin | $34,950 | $34,670 | $28,320 | $43,690 | 11,790 |
| Florida | $34,270 | $34,830 | $28,170 | $44,800 | 34,940 |
| Pennsylvania | $34,250 | $35,250 | $26,980 | $47,030 | 23,190 |
| Utah | $34,210 | $36,080 | $27,580 | $46,720 | 4,230 |
| Texas | $33,860 | $38,280 | $23,140 | $63,250 | 31,480 |
| South Dakota | $33,350 | $35,250 | $28,940 | $47,050 | 1,340 |
| South Carolina | $33,260 | $37,960 | $27,040 | $60,230 | 3,270 |
| Ohio | $32,760 | $35,060 | $27,210 | $47,580 | 18,840 |
| Delaware | $31,380 | $33,590 | $28,140 | $38,400 | 2,090 |
| North Carolina | $30,980 | $33,620 | $24,020 | $45,820 | 16,820 |
| Arkansas | $30,050 | $37,000 | $25,470 | $55,160 | 2,560 |
| Kentucky | $29,980 | $35,240 | $23,260 | $51,730 | 6,780 |
| Iowa | $29,790 | $34,190 | $26,220 | $48,740 | 5,570 |
| West Virginia | $29,610 | $35,160 | $22,240 | $57,560 | 2,380 |
| Wyoming | $29,250 | $33,660 | $23,260 | $48,660 | 740 |
| Idaho | $28,330 | $33,680 | $22,530 | $50,410 | 560 |
| Alabama | $27,630 | $30,920 | $19,590 | $56,470 | 6,610 |
| Mississippi | $26,620 | $29,720 | $18,760 | $44,820 | 3,130 |
Data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024. Sorted by median salary (highest to lowest). Entry Level = 10th percentile, Top Earners = 90th percentile.
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education Salary FAQs
Which state pays Preschool Teachers, Except Special Educations the most?
Nebraska pays the highest median salary for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Educations at $50,270 per year, according to 2024 BLS data. The top 5 highest paying states are: Nebraska ($50,270), New Jersey ($46,570), California ($45,880), New York ($45,580), Massachusetts ($45,030).
What is the average Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary nationally?
The average median Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary across all 50 states is $36,981 per year. The salary ranges from $26,620 in Mississippi to $50,270 in Nebraska — a difference of $23,650.
Which state pays Preschool Teachers, Except Special Educations the least?
Mississippi has the lowest median Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary at $26,620 per year. However, cost of living in Mississippi may be lower, so purchasing power could be comparable.