Preschool Teachers Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$37,870
- 25th Percentile — Junior$43,910
- 50th Percentile — Median$47,400
- 75th Percentile — Senior$59,150
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$65,350
Half of Preschool Teachers in California earn more than $47,400. The top 10% make $65,350 or more, while entry-level workers start around $37,870.
Preschool Teachers in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 6th of 51 states for Preschool Teachers pay, at $51,190 per year (19.0% above the U.S. average of $43,030).
- 55,700 people work as Preschool Teachers in California — 11.6% of all U.S. Preschool Teachers jobs.
- Location quotient 0.99: Preschool Teachers jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $37,870; the top 10% earn over $65,350.
- Hourly equivalent: $24.61 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $68,100.
- Among education jobs in California, Chemistry Professors pays the most ($154,490).
Preschool Teachers Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Preschool Teachers here earn $51,190 on average, placing the state 6th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $51,190 is roughly equivalent to $36,049 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New Jersey ($56,770), Colorado ($53,270), Vermont ($52,520) are the closest alternatives for Preschool Teachers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Education Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chemistry Professors $154,490/yr California +201.8% vs this role
- Biological Science Professors $146,810/yr California +186.8% vs this role
- Mathematical Science Professors $141,340/yr California +176.1% vs this role
- Business Professors $140,670/yr California +174.8% vs this role
- Computer Science Professors $137,170/yr California +168.0% vs this role
- English Language Professors $134,950/yr California +163.6% vs this role
- Education Professors $113,870/yr California +122.4% vs this role
- Secondary School Teachers $105,880/yr California +106.8% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Preschool Teachers salary in California?
The average Preschool Teachers salary in California is $51,190 per year (median $47,400), which is 19.0% above the national average of $43,030.
How does California rank for Preschool Teachers pay?
California ranks 6th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($68,100/yr).
How much do entry-level Preschool Teachers make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Preschool Teachers in California earn about $37,870 per year and the 25th percentile is $43,910.
How much do Preschool Teachers make per hour in California?
About $24.61 per hour, based on the $51,190 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Preschool Teachers work in California?
BLS counts 55,700 Preschool Teachers jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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