Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Pre-k teacher salary
Average pre-k teacher salary
$40,301
Average Pre-K Teacher Salary
As of October 2025, the average salary for a Pre-K Teacher in the United States is $40,301 per year, translating to approximately $19 per hour. Salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as location, experience, and specific job responsibilities. For example, metropolitan areas typically offer higher salaries due to increased demand and cost of living.
How Location Influences Earnings
In states like California and New York, Pre-K Teachers can often earn higher wages compared to other regions. Cities such as San Francisco and New York City rank among the highest paying locations for this role. Understanding these geographical trends can help job seekers target their applications more effectively.
Experience Matters
Entry-level positions may start at a lower salary, but as educators gain experience, their earning potential increases significantly. Experienced Pre-K Teachers can command salaries well above the average, reflecting their specialized skills and qualifications.
Opportunities for Advancement
For those looking to enhance their careers, pursuing further education or obtaining certifications can lead to higher-paying roles, including administrative positions or specialized teaching roles. This not only improves salary prospects but also contributes to professional growth.
Let Zippi find your next pre-k teacher job
Let Zippi find your next pre-k teacher job
Where can a Pre-K Teacher earn more?
Average pre-k teacher salary by state
The average pre-k teacher salary in New York, Massachusetts, and Maryland are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average pre-k teacher salary states are Arizona, South Dakota, and Arkansas.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for pre-k teachers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland | $59,598 | $28.65 |
| 2 | New York | $62,828 | $30.21 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $60,538 | $29.10 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $51,897 | $24.95 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $50,969 | $24.50 |
| 6 | District of Columbia | $57,620 | $27.70 |
| 7 | Minnesota | $50,071 | $24.07 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | $47,164 | $22.68 |
| 9 | California | $55,235 | $26.56 |
| 10 | Texas | $46,873 | $22.54 |
| 11 | New Mexico | $42,633 | $20.50 |
| 12 | New Hampshire | $42,225 | $20.30 |
| 13 | Michigan | $41,329 | $19.87 |
| 14 | Rhode Island | $50,541 | $24.30 |
| 15 | Nebraska | $42,579 | $20.47 |
| 16 | Washington | $47,682 | $22.92 |
| 17 | Illinois | $40,798 | $19.61 |
| 18 | Vermont | $44,106 | $21.20 |
| 19 | Alaska | $48,168 | $23.16 |
| 20 | Virginia | $42,420 | $20.39 |
| 21 | Delaware | $40,367 | $19.41 |
| 22 | Iowa | $39,974 | $19.22 |
| 23 | Ohio | $37,942 | $18.24 |
| 24 | Wyoming | $37,821 | $18.18 |
| 25 | Alabama | $39,326 | $18.91 |
| 26 | Oregon | $40,742 | $19.59 |
| 27 | Nevada | $34,629 | $16.65 |
| 28 | Montana | $35,854 | $17.24 |
| 29 | Kentucky | $38,484 | $18.50 |
| 30 | North Dakota | $37,701 | $18.13 |
| 31 | Utah | $37,420 | $17.99 |
| 32 | Georgia | $35,108 | $16.88 |
| 33 | Hawaii | $43,989 | $21.15 |
| 34 | Florida | $34,731 | $16.70 |
| 35 | Wisconsin | $36,091 | $17.35 |
| 36 | Maine | $36,830 | $17.71 |
| 37 | Oklahoma | $32,360 | $15.56 |
| 38 | West Virginia | $34,845 | $16.75 |
| 39 | Colorado | $32,477 | $15.61 |
| 40 | Indiana | $33,590 | $16.15 |
| 41 | Kansas | $33,124 | $15.93 |
| 42 | Arizona | $31,684 | $15.23 |
| 43 | Mississippi | $33,774 | $16.24 |
| 44 | Louisiana | $33,997 | $16.34 |
| 45 | Tennessee | $32,200 | $15.48 |
| 46 | North Carolina | $30,541 | $14.68 |
| 47 | South Carolina | $30,494 | $14.66 |
| 48 | Idaho | $31,837 | $15.31 |
| 49 | Missouri | $30,041 | $14.44 |
| 50 | Arkansas | $30,796 | $14.81 |
| 51 | South Dakota | $31,361 | $15.08 |
Highest paying cities for pre-k teachers
The highest-paying cities for pre-k teachers are New York, NY, Brookline, MA, and Washington, DC.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $62,990 | $30.28 |
| 2 | Brookline, MA | $60,577 | $29.12 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $57,649 | $27.72 |
| 4 | San Jose, CA | $56,864 | $27.34 |
| 5 | Philadelphia, PA | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| 6 | Austin, TX | $47,102 | $22.65 |
| 7 | Albuquerque, NM | $42,472 | $20.42 |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $40,956 | $19.69 |
| 9 | Salt Lake City, UT | $37,288 | $17.93 |
| 10 | Macon, GA | $35,139 | $16.89 |
| 11 | Orlando, FL | $34,945 | $16.80 |
| 12 | Las Vegas, NV | $34,573 | $16.62 |
| 13 | New Orleans, LA | $33,902 | $16.30 |
| 14 | Coeur dAlene, ID | $32,138 | $15.45 |
| 15 | New Bern, NC | $31,039 | $14.92 |
Pre-k teacher salary details
A pre-k teacher's salary ranges from $28,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $57,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a pre-k teacher's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $57,000 | $4,750 | $27 |
| 75th Percentile | $48,000 | $4,000 | $23 |
| Average | $40,301 | $3,358 | $19 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
| 10th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
Highest paying pre-k teacher jobs
The highest paying types of pre-k teachers are middle school teacher, summer school teacher, and esl teacher.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant And Toddler Teacher | $29,606 | $2,467 | $14.23 | 63,094 |
| Substitute School Teacher | $33,215 | $2,768 | $15.97 | 82,842 |
| Early Childhood Teacher | $33,205 | $2,767 | $15.96 | 56,821 |
| Summer School Teacher | $52,828 | $4,402 | $25.40 | 86,467 |
| Teacher Aide | $29,480 | $2,457 | $14.17 | 106,207 |
| Head Start Teacher | $33,865 | $2,822 | $16.28 | 67,747 |
Top companies hiring pre-k teachers now:
Which companies pay pre-k teachers the most?
Pre-k teacher salaries at Faulkner University and Energized for Excellence Academy, Inc. are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average pre-k teacher salary at companies like Liberty County School District and Teaneck High School are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Faulkner University | $63,386 | $30.47 |
| 2 | Energized for Excellence Academy, Inc. | $57,487 | $27.64 |
| 3 | Liberty County School District | $56,719 | $27.27 |
| 4 | Teaneck High School | $56,586 | $27.20 |
| 5 | Baltimore City Public Schools | $56,408 | $27.12 |
| 6 | Chicago Public Schools | $54,919 | $26.40 |
| 7 | Houston ISD Foundation | $54,783 | $26.34 |
| 8 | Tyler Isd | $54,497 | $26.20 |
| 9 | The Bear Creek School | $53,512 | $25.73 |
| 10 | Fayette County Public Schools | $53,174 | $25.56 |
| 11 | Prince George's County Memorial Library System | $52,967 | $25.46 |
| 12 | Broward County Public Schools | $52,496 | $25.24 |
| 13 | Scholar Academies | $51,984 | $24.99 |
| 14 | Union County Public Schools | $51,880 | $24.94 |
| 15 | Concord Hospital | $50,953 | $24.50 |
| 16 | DC Bilingual Public Charter School | $50,619 | $24.34 |
| 17 | Durham Public Schools | $49,615 | $23.85 |
| 18 | Brookline Elementary School | $49,102 | $23.61 |
| 19 | The Children's Workshop | $48,617 | $23.37 |
| 20 | Anchorage School District | $48,272 | $23.21 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Pre-k teacher salary trends
The average pre-k teacher salary has risen by $5,357 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average pre-k teacher earned $34,944 annually, but today, they earn $40,301 a year. That works out to a 9% change in pay for pre-k teachers over the last decade.
Compare pre-k teacher salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average pre-k teacher salary over time
Compare pre-k teacher salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Pre-k teacher salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $40,300 | $19.38 | +2.1% |
| 2024 | $39,500 | $18.97 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $38,500 | $18.51 | +1.8% |
| 2022 | $37,800 | $18.17 | +2.4% |
| 2021 | $36,900 | $17.74 | +1.6% |
Recently added pre-k teacher salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kids 'r' Kids | GA Pre-K Lead Teacher | Snellville, GA | 06/29/2025 | $38,000 |
| Catholic Charities of Onondaga County | Universal Pre-K Substitute Teacher/TA) | Syracuse, NY | 06/29/2025 | $41,740 |
| Think Academy Us | Pre-K Math Teacher | Irvine, CA | 06/29/2025 | $41,740 |
| United Cerebral Palsy of Central Florida | Teacher-K/1St. | Orlando, FL | 06/28/2025 | $49,000 |
| The Learning Experience | Pre K Teacher | Gap, PA | 06/28/2025 | $31,305 |
| Little Sprouts | EEC Pre-K Teacher-Must BE Certified and Able To Work Closing Shifts | Natick, MA | 06/28/2025 | $39,653 |
| Windham Southeast Supervisory Union | Pre-K Classroom Paraeducator | Vermont | 06/28/2025 | $38,213 |
| Cadence Education | PRE-K Lead Teacher | Norwalk, CT | 06/26/2025 | $39,653 |
| Children's Center | Pre-K Teacher (Head Start Teacher) | Suffolk, VA | 06/26/2025 | $54,492 |
| The-Learning | Pre-K Counts Lead Teacher | Sugar Hill, GA | 06/26/2025 | $30,000 |
Pre-k teacher salary FAQs
Search for pre-k teacher jobs