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Special Education Teachers, Preschool Salary in California
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Special Education Teachers, Preschool make in California?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$59,550
Median Annual Salary
▲
+6.5% vs 2024
$69,930
Mean Salary
$59,550
Median Salary
$28.63
Hourly Rate
2,510 people work as Special Education Teachers, Preschool in California
Special Education Teachers, Preschool salary by percentile in California
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Special Education Teachers, Preschool in California earn a median salary of $59,550 per year ($4,962/month).
This is 9.9% below the national average of $66,079.
California ranks #31 out of 45 states for Special Education Teachers, Preschool pay.
Approximately 2,510 people work in this occupation across California.
Salaries increased by 6.5% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Special Education Teachers, Preschool
Teach academic, social, and life skills to preschool-aged students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.
Top Skills
Speaking
4.12
Active Listening
4.0
Reading Comprehension
3.88
Critical Thinking
3.88
Social Perceptiveness
3.88
Key Knowledge Areas
English Language
4.5
Education and Training
4.23
Psychology
3.82
Public Safety and Security
3.38
Therapy and Counseling
3.28
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
(31.7% of workers)
Salary Range: Special Education Teachers, Preschool in California
Salaries for Special Education Teachers, Preschool in California range from $38,050 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $117,700 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $48,400 and $83,370.
Median $59,550
P10: $38,050P25: $48,400P75: $83,370P90: $117,700
10th
$38,050
25th
$48,400
Median
$59,550
75th
$83,370
90th
$117,700
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$38,050
$18.29
$3,170
25th Percentile
$48,400
$23.27
$4,033
Median (50th)
$59,550
$28.63
$4,962
75th Percentile
$83,370
$40.08
$6,947
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$117,700
$56.59
$9,808
Note: The mean (average) salary of $69,930 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#31
California ranks #31 of 45 states
$66,079
National avg. for Special Education Teachers, Preschool
How much do Special Education Teachers, Preschool make in California?
The median annual salary for Special Education Teachers, Preschool in California is $59,550 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $69,930.
What is the salary range for a Special Education Teachers, Preschool in California?
Salaries for Special Education Teachers, Preschool in California range from $38,050 at the 10th percentile to $117,700 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $48,400 and $83,370.
What is the starting salary for a Special Education Teachers, Preschool in California?
Entry-level Special Education Teachers, Preschool positions in California typically start around $38,050 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $48,400 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Special Education Teachers, Preschool in California?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 2,510 people are employed as Special Education Teachers, Preschool in California.
What is the hourly rate for a Special Education Teachers, Preschool in California?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Special Education Teachers, Preschool in California is approximately $28.63 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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