BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Preschool Teachers in Missouri

$39,030 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$18.76 per hour

▼ 9.3% below U.S. average30th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$39,030per year
Median$36,090per year
Hourly$18.76per hour
10th – 90th percentile$29,030 – $54,610per year

Preschool Teachers Pay Range in Missouri

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$29,030
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$30,440
  • 50th Percentile — Median$36,090
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$44,030
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$54,610

Half of Preschool Teachers in Missouri earn more than $36,090. The top 10% make $54,610 or more, while entry-level workers start around $29,030.

Preschool Teachers in Missouri: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Missouri ranks 30th of 51 states for Preschool Teachers pay, at $39,030 per year (9.3% below the U.S. average of $43,030).
  • 5,580 people work as Preschool Teachers in Missouri — 1.2% of all U.S. Preschool Teachers jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.62: Preschool Teachers jobs are less concentrated in Missouri than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $29,030; the top 10% earn over $54,610.
  • Hourly equivalent: $18.76 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $68,100.
  • Among education jobs in Missouri, Business Professors pays the most ($127,260).

Preschool Teachers Job Market in Missouri

Key factors affecting compensation

Missouri's key industries are Healthcare, Finance, Agriculture, and its job market is rated moderate. Preschool Teachers here earn $39,030 on average, placing the state 30th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a Missouri salary of $39,030 is roughly equivalent to $44,862 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Louisiana ($41,280), Tennessee ($41,170), Rhode Island ($39,850) are the closest alternatives for Preschool Teachers weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Preschool Teachers salary in Missouri?

The average Preschool Teachers salary in Missouri is $39,030 per year (median $36,090), which is 9.3% below the national average of $43,030.

How does Missouri rank for Preschool Teachers pay?

Missouri ranks 30th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($68,100/yr).

How much do entry-level Preschool Teachers make in Missouri?

The lowest-paid 10% of Preschool Teachers in Missouri earn about $29,030 per year and the 25th percentile is $30,440.

How much do Preschool Teachers make per hour in Missouri?

About $18.76 per hour, based on the $39,030 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Preschool Teachers work in Missouri?

BLS counts 5,580 Preschool Teachers jobs in Missouri (OEWS May 2025).

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