Preschool Teachers Pay Range in Illinois
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$36,030
- 25th Percentile — Junior$37,750
- 50th Percentile — Median$40,910
- 75th Percentile — Senior$46,790
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$60,890
Half of Preschool Teachers in Illinois earn more than $40,910. The top 10% make $60,890 or more, while entry-level workers start around $36,030.
Preschool Teachers in Illinois: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Illinois ranks 19th of 51 states for Preschool Teachers pay, at $45,150 per year (4.9% above the U.S. average of $43,030).
- 22,420 people work as Preschool Teachers in Illinois — 4.7% of all U.S. Preschool Teachers jobs.
- Location quotient 1.19: Preschool Teachers jobs are more concentrated in Illinois than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $36,030; the top 10% earn over $60,890.
- Hourly equivalent: $21.71 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $68,100.
- Among education jobs in Illinois, Business Professors pays the most ($108,900).
Preschool Teachers Job Market in Illinois
Key factors affecting compensation
Illinois's key industries are Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Preschool Teachers here earn $45,150 on average, placing the state 19th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.05 (U.S. = 1.00), a Illinois salary of $45,150 is roughly equivalent to $43,000 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Georgia ($47,920), Maryland ($47,470), Kansas ($46,580) 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 Illinois
Related career salary benchmarks
- Business Professors $108,900/yr Illinois +141.2% vs this role
- Biological Science Professors $108,130/yr Illinois +139.5% vs this role
- Computer Science Professors $103,710/yr Illinois +129.7% vs this role
- Chemistry Professors $100,070/yr Illinois +121.6% vs this role
- Secondary School Teachers $89,320/yr Illinois +97.8% vs this role
- Mathematical Science Professors $82,100/yr Illinois +81.8% vs this role
- English Language Professors $80,140/yr Illinois +77.5% vs this role
- Instructional Coordinators $76,590/yr Illinois +69.6% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Preschool Teachers salary in Illinois?
The average Preschool Teachers salary in Illinois is $45,150 per year (median $40,910), which is 4.9% above the national average of $43,030.
How does Illinois rank for Preschool Teachers pay?
Illinois ranks 19th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($68,100/yr).
How much do entry-level Preschool Teachers make in Illinois?
The lowest-paid 10% of Preschool Teachers in Illinois earn about $36,030 per year and the 25th percentile is $37,750.
How much do Preschool Teachers make per hour in Illinois?
About $21.71 per hour, based on the $45,150 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Preschool Teachers work in Illinois?
BLS counts 22,420 Preschool Teachers jobs in Illinois (OEWS May 2025).
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