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As of October 2025, the average salary for a Lead Toddler Teacher in the United States is around $29,942 per year, or approximately $14 per hour. Salaries can vary due to factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and the type of educational institution. For example, lead teachers in urban areas tend to earn more than those in rural settings.
In states like California and New York, salaries for Lead Toddler Teachers can reach upwards of $35,000 annually, while states with lower costs of living may offer salaries closer to $25,000. Understanding these regional salary differences is crucial for prospective teachers when considering job opportunities.
Beyond salary, pursuing a career as a Lead Toddler Teacher provides various opportunities for professional development. Continuing education, such as obtaining a certification in early childhood education, can lead to higher pay and additional responsibilities. This path not only enriches your skills but also enhances your impact on children's lives.
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The average lead toddler teacher salary in Alaska, Washington, and Massachusetts are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average lead toddler teacher salary states are Alabama, Georgia, and Arkansas.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $36,629 | $17.61 |
| 2 | Montana | $31,884 | $15.33 |
| 3 | Rhode Island | $34,577 | $16.62 |
| 4 | Delaware | $33,241 | $15.98 |
| 5 | Illinois | $32,141 | $15.45 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $34,691 | $16.68 |
| 7 | Washington | $36,083 | $17.35 |
| 8 | Colorado | $32,276 | $15.52 |
| 9 | Nebraska | $29,672 | $14.27 |
| 10 | New York | $32,859 | $15.80 |
| 11 | Connecticut | $31,186 | $14.99 |
| 12 | North Dakota | $32,399 | $15.58 |
| 13 | Wisconsin | $32,051 | $15.41 |
| 14 | Oregon | $32,856 | $15.80 |
| 15 | Vermont | $30,988 | $14.90 |
| 16 | Idaho | $29,117 | $14.00 |
| 17 | Arizona | $29,511 | $14.19 |
| 18 | South Dakota | $29,112 | $14.00 |
| 19 | Minnesota | $30,792 | $14.80 |
| 20 | Nevada | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| 21 | New Hampshire | $29,067 | $13.97 |
| 22 | District of Columbia | $33,401 | $16.06 |
| 23 | Maine | $29,778 | $14.32 |
| 24 | Pennsylvania | $29,010 | $13.95 |
| 25 | West Virginia | $30,178 | $14.51 |
| 26 | California | $32,193 | $15.48 |
| 27 | New Jersey | $29,214 | $14.05 |
| 28 | Mississippi | $28,671 | $13.78 |
| 29 | Iowa | $28,870 | $13.88 |
| 30 | Missouri | $28,555 | $13.73 |
| 31 | North Carolina | $27,916 | $13.42 |
| 32 | Oklahoma | $25,879 | $12.44 |
| 33 | Wyoming | $26,794 | $12.88 |
| 34 | Indiana | $26,915 | $12.94 |
| 35 | Ohio | $27,710 | $13.32 |
| 36 | Hawaii | $30,033 | $14.44 |
| 37 | Michigan | $26,201 | $12.60 |
| 38 | New Mexico | $24,962 | $12.00 |
| 39 | Kansas | $24,894 | $11.97 |
| 40 | South Carolina | $25,691 | $12.35 |
| 41 | Maryland | $25,378 | $12.20 |
| 42 | Arkansas | $23,708 | $11.40 |
| 43 | Tennessee | $25,879 | $12.44 |
| 44 | Utah | $27,318 | $13.13 |
| 45 | Kentucky | $26,113 | $12.55 |
| 46 | Virginia | $25,588 | $12.30 |
| 47 | Texas | $23,662 | $11.38 |
| 48 | Alabama | $24,708 | $11.88 |
| 49 | Georgia | $24,216 | $11.64 |
| 50 | Florida | $20,687 | $9.95 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $23,331 | $11.22 |
The highest-paying cities for lead toddler teachers are Seattle, WA, Brookline, MA, and Walnut Creek, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $36,228 | $17.42 |
| 2 | Brookline, MA | $34,679 | $16.67 |
| 3 | Walnut Creek, CA | $33,551 | $16.13 |
| 4 | Rochester, NY | $33,495 | $16.10 |
| 5 | Boulder, CO | $32,401 | $15.58 |
| 6 | Chicago, IL | $32,262 | $15.51 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $29,617 | $14.24 |
| 8 | Cranberry, PA | $29,096 | $13.99 |
| 9 | Sioux Falls, SD | $29,018 | $13.95 |
| 10 | Charlotte, NC | $27,765 | $13.35 |
| 11 | Dayton, OH | $27,507 | $13.22 |
| 12 | Fishers, IN | $26,864 | $12.92 |
| 13 | Ashburn, VA | $26,522 | $12.75 |
| 14 | Ann Arbor, MI | $26,191 | $12.59 |
| 15 | Collierville, TN | $25,603 | $12.31 |
| 16 | Marietta, GA | $24,562 | $11.81 |
| 17 | Frisco, TX | $24,246 | $11.66 |
| 18 | Pensacola, FL | $21,369 | $10.27 |
A lead toddler teacher's salary ranges from $24,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $37,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $37,000 | $3,083 | $18 |
| 75th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
| Average | $29,942 | $2,495 | $14 |
| 25th Percentile | $26,000 | $2,167 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $24,000 | $2,000 | $12 |
The highest paying types of lead toddler teachers are head teacher, teacher, and assistant group supervisor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Aide | $29,480 | $2,457 | $14.17 | 106,207 |
| Day Care Teacher | $31,231 | $2,603 | $15.01 | 138,110 |
| Teacher | $47,989 | $3,999 | $23.07 | 71,918 |
| Infant Teacher | $29,076 | $2,423 | $13.98 | 63,079 |
| Pre-K Teacher | $40,301 | $3,358 | $19.38 | 60,464 |
| Early Childhood Teacher | $33,205 | $2,767 | $15.96 | 56,821 |
Top companies hiring lead toddler teachers now:
Lead toddler teacher salaries at Columbia University in the City of New York and KLA are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average lead toddler teacher salary at companies like Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church and Little Sunshine's Playhouse are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia University in the City of New York | $43,185 | $20.76 |
| 2 | KLA | $35,320 | $16.98 |
| 3 | Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church | $35,112 | $16.88 |
| 4 | Little Sunshine's Playhouse | $31,800 | $15.29 |
| 5 | Lionheart Children's Academy | $31,667 | $15.22 |
| 6 | Swedish Hospital | $31,578 | $15.18 |
| 7 | Wellspring Family Services | $31,196 | $15.00 |
| 8 | Georgetown Hill Early School | $31,091 | $14.95 |
| 9 | Little Lukes | $30,968 | $14.89 |
| 10 | Cadence Education | $30,680 | $14.75 |
| 11 | Learning Care Group | $30,605 | $14.71 |
| 12 | Early Learning Indiana | $30,495 | $14.66 |
| 13 | Creative Learning Center | $30,279 | $14.56 |
| 14 | Archdiocese of Indianapolis | $29,909 | $14.38 |
| 15 | Wonderspring Early Education | $29,893 | $14.37 |
| 16 | Vivvi | $29,781 | $14.32 |
| 17 | The Academy | $29,774 | $14.31 |
| 18 | Sunshine School | $29,532 | $14.20 |
| 19 | Beaver County YMCA | $29,367 | $14.12 |
| 20 | Little Sprouts | $29,271 | $14.07 |
The average lead toddler teacher salary has risen by $5,496 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average lead toddler teacher earned $24,446 annually, but today, they earn $29,942 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for lead toddler teachers over the last decade.
Compare lead toddler teacher salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare lead toddler teacher salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $29,900 | $14.40 | +3.4% |
| 2025 | $28,900 | $13.90 | +3.3% |
| 2024 | $28,000 | $13.44 | +2.6% |
| 2023 | $27,200 | $13.09 | +3.2% |
| 2022 | $26,300 | $12.67 | +2.0% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Get It-Professional Services | Lead Toddler Teacher-Remote | WFH | Awendaw, SC | 06/29/2025 | $37,566 |
| CBMS | Toddler Lead | Newnan, GA | 06/29/2025 | $31,305 |
| The Learning Experience | Lead Teacher/Toddler | Boone, NC | 06/28/2025 | $27,131 |
| Little Legends Learning Center | Lead Toddler Childcare Teacher | Champaign, IL | 06/28/2025 | $37,566 |
| The Learning Experience | Lead Toddler Teacher | Loveland, CO | 06/27/2025 | $35,479 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties | Lead Toddler Teacher | Pasco, WA | 06/27/2025 | $37,670 |
| What You'Ll Love About Working With Us | Lead Toddler Teacher | Chest Springs, PA | 06/27/2025 | $34,957 |
| Cadence Education | Lead Teacher-Infant/Toddler | Franklin, WI | 06/26/2025 | $35,479 |
| Cadence Education | Lead Teacher-Toddler | Cumberland, RI | 06/26/2025 | $37,566 |
| The Learning Experience | Daycare Preschool Teacher Lead Two Year OLD Toddler Teacher | Acworth, GA | 06/26/2025 | $33,392 |
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