383 metro areas
Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education Salary by City (2026)
Preschool teachers earn the most in Vineland, NJ, an average of $62,570 a year, against $43,030 nationally. After local prices, pay goes furthest in Albany, GA ($70,800 in national-average dollars). Every metro area with its own BLS estimate is ranked below.
- US average (mean)
- $43,030BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Highest-paying city
- $62,570Vineland, NJ
- Best after cost of living
- $70,800Albany, GA
- Metro areas
- 383With their own estimate
Top cities
Highest-paying cities for preschool teachers
Top 10 metro areas
- Vineland, NJ$62,570
- Albany, GA$62,070
- Atlantic City, NJ$58,570
- Brunswick, GA$58,180
- Denver, CO$57,260
- Visalia, CA$56,200
- San Francisco, CA$55,850
- Modesto, CA$55,830
- Gainesville, GA$55,700
- New York, NY-NJ$55,540
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Vineland, NJ | $62,570 |
| Albany, GA | $62,070 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $58,570 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $58,180 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $57,260 |
| Visalia, CA | $56,200 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $55,850 |
| Modesto, CA | $55,830 |
| Gainesville, GA | $55,700 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $55,540 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Mean wage ÷ BEA price level
- Albany, GA$62,070 nominal$70,800
- Brunswick, GA$58,180 nominal$66,330
- Vineland, NJ$62,570 nominal$65,200
- Dalton, GA$54,410 nominal$60,560
- Atlantic City, NJ$58,570 nominal$59,250
- Hinesville, GA$55,370 nominal$58,950
- Warner Robins, GA$55,290 nominal$58,950
- Gainesville, GA$55,700 nominal$57,560
- Visalia, CA$56,200 nominal$56,300
- Elmira, NY$52,540 nominal$55,660
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Albany, GA | $70,800 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $66,330 |
| Vineland, NJ | $65,200 |
| Dalton, GA | $60,560 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $59,250 |
| Hinesville, GA | $58,950 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $58,950 |
| Gainesville, GA | $57,560 |
| Visalia, CA | $56,300 |
| Elmira, NY | $55,660 |
Source: BLS OEWS 2025 · BEA RPP 2024
Every city
Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education salary in every metro area
Mean annual wage, with the Department of Labor's entry (Level I) and experienced (Level IV) prevailing-wage benchmarks for the same metro, and the mean at national-average prices. Sorted by mean pay.
| # | Metro area | Mean | Entry (Level I) | Experienced (Level IV) | At US prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vineland, NJ | $62,570 | $39,420 | $73,990 | $65,200 |
| 2 | Albany, GA | $62,070 | $29,540 | $78,100 | $70,800 |
| 3 | Atlantic City, NJ | $58,570 | $36,960 | $69,200 | $59,250 |
| 4 | Brunswick, GA | $58,180 | $30,260 | $71,930 | $66,330 |
| 5 | Denver, CO | $57,260 | $37,920 | $66,770 | $54,130 |
| 6 | Visalia, CA | $56,200 | $40,580 | $63,880 | $56,300 |
| 7 | San Francisco, CA | $55,850 | $46,320 | $60,550 | $48,310 |
| 8 | Modesto, CA | $55,830 | $41,100 | $63,070 | $53,630 |
| 9 | Gainesville, GA | $55,700 | $31,030 | $67,850 | $57,560 |
| 10 | New York, NY-NJ | $55,540 | $39,020 | $63,690 | $49,340 |
| 11 | San Jose, CA | $55,520 | $45,760 | $60,320 | $50,280 |
| 12 | Bridgeport, CT | $55,370 | $37,480 | $64,170 | $51,810 |
| 13 | Hinesville, GA | $55,370 | $31,030 | $67,350 | $58,950 |
| 14 | Warner Robins, GA | $55,290 | $28,930 | $68,270 | $58,950 |
| 15 | Kahului, HI | $54,450 | $40,410 | $61,360 | $49,770 |
| 16 | Dalton, GA | $54,410 | $29,310 | $66,790 | $60,560 |
| 17 | Boulder, CO | $54,350 | $39,350 | $61,730 | $51,660 |
| 18 | Trenton, NJ | $54,160 | $38,130 | $62,070 | $52,490 |
| 19 | Merced, CA | $53,500 | $40,600 | $59,840 | $54,440 |
| 20 | Fairbanks, AK | $53,230 | $43,430 | $58,050 | $51,580 |
| 21 | Burlington, VT | $53,020 | $41,020 | $58,930 | $52,520 |
| 22 | Elmira, NY | $52,540 | $35,380 | $60,990 | $55,660 |
| 23 | Salinas, CA | $52,520 | $41,410 | $58,010 | $48,160 |
| 24 | Mount Vernon, WA | $52,350 | $39,890 | $58,490 | $51,100 |
| 25 | Santa Cruz, CA | $52,250 | $40,540 | $58,010 | $47,540 |
| 26 | Barnstable Town, MA | $51,880 | $39,980 | $57,740 | $52,750 |
| 27 | Amherst Town, MA | $51,040 | $38,940 | $57,010 | $50,920 |
| 28 | Rockford, IL | $50,880 | $36,130 | $58,140 | $55,210 |
| 29 | Santa Fe, NM | $50,860 | $38,520 | $56,950 | $51,490 |
| 30 | Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV | $50,810 | $35,900 | $58,180 | $46,660 |
| 31 | Glens Falls, NY | $50,730 | $35,420 | $58,280 | $53,480 |
| 32 | Salisbury, MD | $50,630 | $34,150 | $58,740 | $52,950 |
| 33 | Los Angeles, CA | $50,540 | $40,040 | $55,720 | $44,500 |
| 34 | Napa, CA | $50,540 | $40,580 | $55,450 | $44,900 |
| 35 | Norwich, CT | $50,480 | $35,980 | $57,620 | $50,260 |
| 36 | Santa Maria, CA | $50,460 | $39,870 | $55,680 | $46,380 |
| 37 | Santa Rosa, CA | $50,250 | $42,220 | $54,230 | $46,620 |
| 38 | Fort Collins, CO | $50,090 | $35,030 | $57,510 | $49,530 |
| 39 | Yuba City, CA | $50,090 | $39,080 | $55,520 | $48,060 |
| 40 | Vallejo, CA | $49,880 | $39,290 | $55,100 | $45,980 |
| 41 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $49,860 | $37,480 | $55,970 | $44,930 |
| 42 | Portland, OR-WA | $49,690 | $37,790 | $55,540 | $47,130 |
| 43 | Seattle, WA | $49,690 | $42,370 | $53,290 | $44,710 |
| 44 | Manhattan, KS | $49,610 | $37,150 | $55,740 | $55,020 |
| 45 | Riverside, CA | $49,550 | $37,730 | $55,370 | $46,550 |
| 46 | Grants Pass, OR | $49,130 | $37,090 | $55,040 | $50,260 |
| 47 | New Haven, CT | $49,090 | $36,320 | $55,370 | $46,950 |
| 48 | El Centro, CA | $48,960 | $36,840 | $54,910 | $51,440 |
| 49 | Stockton, CA | $48,860 | $38,040 | $54,180 | $46,490 |
| 50 | Waterbury, CT | $48,780 | $35,690 | $55,220 | $48,890 |
| 51 | Oxnard, CA | $48,760 | $38,000 | $54,060 | $44,110 |
| 52 | Kingston, NY | $48,610 | $37,960 | $53,850 | $48,270 |
| 53 | Las Cruces, NM | $48,590 | $33,610 | $55,950 | $53,860 |
| 54 | Hilton Head Island, SC | $48,510 | $30,010 | $57,640 | $49,490 |
| 55 | San Luis Obispo, CA | $48,360 | $37,340 | $53,790 | $44,530 |
| 56 | Boston, MA-NH | $48,190 | $37,250 | $53,580 | $44,510 |
| 57 | Fresno, CA | $48,050 | $37,500 | $53,250 | $47,030 |
| 58 | Hartford, CT | $48,050 | $35,480 | $54,250 | $46,770 |
| 59 | Macon, GA | $48,030 | $29,180 | $57,300 | $54,250 |
| 60 | Bakersfield, CA | $48,010 | $37,150 | $53,350 | $47,590 |
| 61 | Savannah, GA | $47,880 | $31,030 | $56,180 | $50,290 |
| 62 | Pittsfield, MA | $47,780 | $36,420 | $53,370 | $50,240 |
| 63 | Hanford, CA | $47,760 | $37,480 | $52,810 | $47,000 |
| 64 | Lewiston, ME | $47,690 | $36,960 | $52,980 | $50,340 |
| 65 | Worcester, MA | $47,690 | $37,070 | $52,920 | $46,520 |
| 66 | Omaha, NE-IA | $47,510 | $35,110 | $53,600 | $51,690 |
| 67 | Albuquerque, NM | $47,280 | $34,150 | $53,750 | $49,480 |
| 68 | Sacramento, CA | $47,110 | $38,020 | $51,580 | $44,160 |
| 69 | San Diego, CA | $47,090 | $38,940 | $51,110 | $42,090 |
| 70 | Ithaca, NY | $47,010 | $37,790 | $51,540 | $45,500 |
| 71 | Lexington Park, MD | $46,990 | $35,960 | $52,440 | $46,640 |
| 72 | Binghamton, NY | $46,970 | $34,510 | $53,100 | $50,580 |
| 73 | Bend, OR | $46,920 | $37,480 | $51,560 | $45,290 |
| 74 | Atlanta, GA | $46,900 | $30,950 | $54,750 | $46,870 |
| 75 | Houma, LA | $46,840 | $28,520 | $55,870 | $55,040 |
| 76 | Kiryas Joel, NY | $46,800 | $36,110 | $52,060 | $42,770 |
| 77 | Springfield, MA | $46,630 | $36,770 | $51,480 | $48,540 |
| 78 | Medford, OR | $46,590 | $35,840 | $51,920 | $45,930 |
| 79 | Syracuse, NY | $46,490 | $35,420 | $51,940 | $48,560 |
| 80 | Utica, NY | $46,470 | $35,360 | $51,940 | $50,140 |
| 81 | Pueblo, CO | $46,430 | $34,470 | $52,330 | $50,600 |
| 82 | Rochester, NY | $46,240 | $34,860 | $51,850 | $47,650 |
| 83 | Topeka, KS | $46,110 | $33,700 | $52,230 | $51,910 |
| 84 | Wichita, KS | $46,110 | $28,660 | $54,700 | $51,840 |
| 85 | Anchorage, AK | $46,030 | $34,820 | $51,560 | $43,660 |
| 86 | Farmington, NM | $45,970 | $32,160 | $52,770 | $52,410 |
| 87 | Redding, CA | $45,820 | $36,820 | $50,270 | $45,510 |
| 88 | Kennewick, WA | $45,780 | $37,500 | $49,860 | $45,740 |
| 89 | Chicago, IL-IN | $45,740 | $36,550 | $50,270 | $44,150 |
| 90 | New Orleans, LA | $45,720 | $29,470 | $53,710 | $49,380 |
| 91 | Eugene, OR | $45,680 | $35,070 | $50,900 | $44,970 |
| 92 | Baltimore, MD | $45,640 | $35,130 | $50,810 | $43,680 |
| 93 | Longview, WA | $45,570 | $39,170 | $48,730 | $46,720 |
| 94 | Chico, CA | $45,490 | $35,920 | $50,210 | $44,950 |
| 95 | Walla Walla, WA | $45,470 | $37,440 | $49,420 | $46,150 |
| 96 | Salem, OR | $45,390 | $36,130 | $49,920 | $43,790 |
| 97 | Minneapolis, MN-WI | $45,240 | $36,360 | $49,630 | $43,160 |
| 98 | Buffalo, NY | $45,090 | $35,480 | $49,820 | $47,050 |
| 99 | Albany, NY | $45,030 | $36,570 | $49,210 | $45,230 |
| 100 | Wenatchee, WA | $44,970 | $38,020 | $48,400 | $43,300 |
| 101 | Hagerstown, MD-WV | $44,950 | $29,310 | $52,670 | $47,730 |
| 102 | Lincoln, NE | $44,760 | $31,180 | $51,460 | $48,870 |
| 103 | Spokane, WA | $44,740 | $36,940 | $48,570 | $44,590 |
| 104 | Greeley, CO | $44,600 | $35,240 | $49,210 | $44,520 |
| 105 | Champaign, IL | $44,570 | $35,510 | $49,050 | $48,080 |
| 106 | Bangor, ME | $44,510 | $35,710 | $48,860 | $46,120 |
| 107 | Rochester, MN | $44,450 | $34,940 | $49,150 | $48,940 |
| 108 | St. Joseph, MO-KS | $44,450 | $28,770 | $52,170 | $51,460 |
| 109 | Yakima, WA | $44,300 | $36,570 | $48,110 | $46,370 |
| 110 | Decatur, IL | $44,280 | $36,150 | $48,280 | $50,080 |
| 111 | Portland, ME | $44,220 | $37,360 | $47,610 | $43,410 |
| 112 | Bremerton, WA | $44,010 | $39,080 | $46,450 | $41,670 |
| 113 | Olympia, WA | $43,780 | $37,290 | $46,970 | $42,230 |
| 114 | Corvallis, OR | $43,740 | $35,010 | $48,050 | $42,050 |
| 115 | Providence, RI-MA | $43,620 | $34,400 | $48,150 | $42,860 |
| 116 | Naples, FL | $43,580 | $33,820 | $48,360 | $42,230 |
| 117 | Rome, GA | $43,560 | $26,690 | $51,850 | $48,310 |
| 118 | Albany, OR | $43,530 | $33,450 | $48,480 | $42,630 |
| 119 | Nashville, TN | $43,530 | $29,040 | $50,670 | $45,180 |
| 120 | Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $43,470 | $33,260 | $48,510 | $47,960 |
| 121 | St. Cloud, MN | $43,310 | $35,010 | $47,400 | $49,420 |
| 122 | Colorado Springs, CO | $43,280 | $34,090 | $47,820 | $42,980 |
| 123 | Kankakee, IL | $43,200 | $35,070 | $47,220 | $44,820 |
| 124 | Rapid City, SD | $43,040 | $32,530 | $48,210 | $48,270 |
| 125 | Las Vegas, NV | $42,970 | $30,490 | $49,110 | $42,880 |
| 126 | Bellingham, WA | $42,910 | $36,880 | $45,880 | $41,530 |
| 127 | Grand Forks, ND-MN | $42,910 | $30,970 | $48,780 | $49,510 |
| 128 | Winchester, VA-WV | $42,850 | $31,240 | $48,570 | $44,430 |
| 129 | Bozeman, MT | $42,830 | $33,200 | $47,570 | $41,780 |
| 130 | Mankato, MN | $42,740 | $35,190 | $46,470 | $46,990 |
| 131 | Fargo, ND-MN | $42,370 | $32,260 | $47,360 | $46,630 |
| 132 | Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $42,290 | $31,010 | $47,840 | $48,920 |
| 133 | Charlottesville, VA | $42,270 | $31,680 | $47,490 | $42,630 |
| 134 | Muskegon, MI | $42,140 | $32,590 | $46,840 | $45,550 |
| 135 | Springfield, IL | $42,100 | $33,490 | $46,320 | $45,390 |
| 136 | Lake Charles, LA | $41,930 | $26,770 | $49,400 | $48,840 |
| 137 | Duluth, MN-WI | $41,810 | $32,820 | $46,240 | $47,100 |
| 138 | Baton Rouge, LA | $41,640 | $28,200 | $48,260 | $45,870 |
| 139 | Slidell, LA | $41,580 | $27,500 | $48,510 | $44,840 |
| 140 | Jackson, TN | $41,450 | $25,770 | $49,170 | $48,470 |
| 141 | Jackson, MI | $41,370 | $31,390 | $46,280 | $45,080 |
| 142 | Virginia Beach, VA-NC | $41,350 | $29,520 | $47,170 | $42,220 |
| 143 | Bismarck, ND | $41,270 | $29,430 | $47,090 | $45,340 |
| 144 | Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $41,250 | $32,320 | $45,640 | $40,220 |
| 145 | Grand Junction, CO | $41,160 | $33,030 | $45,160 | $43,110 |
| 146 | Fort Smith, AR-OK | $41,120 | $27,160 | $47,990 | $47,880 |
| 147 | Columbus, GA-AL | $41,060 | $23,920 | $49,500 | $45,980 |
| 148 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $41,020 | $31,950 | $45,470 | $44,330 |
| 149 | Valdosta, GA | $41,000 | $24,000 | $49,360 | $46,450 |
| 150 | Saginaw, MI | $40,960 | $32,010 | $45,360 | $45,060 |
| 151 | Hot Springs, AR | $40,890 | $27,270 | $47,590 | $47,700 |
| 152 | Reno, NV | $40,830 | $33,090 | $44,640 | $40,420 |
| 153 | Watertown, NY | $40,750 | $34,050 | $44,030 | $46,470 |
| 154 | Detroit, MI | $40,730 | $32,860 | $44,620 | $40,610 |
| 155 | Kingsport, TN-VA | $40,730 | $27,230 | $47,360 | $47,120 |
| 156 | Kokomo, IN | $40,730 | $29,240 | $46,360 | $45,430 |
| 157 | Traverse City, MI | $40,730 | $33,820 | $44,140 | $43,620 |
| 158 | Grand Rapids, MI | $40,620 | $31,990 | $44,870 | $42,510 |
| 159 | Peoria, IL | $40,520 | $33,590 | $43,950 | $44,410 |
| 160 | Bloomington, IL | $40,500 | $34,340 | $43,530 | $43,300 |
| 161 | Alexandria, LA | $40,390 | $26,350 | $47,300 | $47,140 |
| 162 | Fayetteville, AR | $40,310 | $29,760 | $45,510 | $44,130 |
| 163 | Manchester, NH | $40,310 | $33,240 | $43,780 | $38,150 |
| 164 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $40,290 | $31,780 | $44,490 | $42,370 |
| 165 | McAllen, TX | $40,230 | $23,420 | $48,480 | $46,840 |
| 166 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $40,100 | $26,670 | $46,720 | $43,840 |
| 167 | Jonesboro, AR | $40,060 | $28,720 | $45,660 | $46,650 |
| 168 | Madison, WI | $39,940 | $31,820 | $43,950 | $41,050 |
| 169 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $39,940 | $26,830 | $46,400 | $43,330 |
| 170 | Roanoke, VA | $39,690 | $29,240 | $44,840 | $42,400 |
| 171 | Athens, GA | $39,620 | $27,160 | $45,780 | $42,450 |
| 172 | Augusta, GA-SC | $39,440 | $26,620 | $45,760 | $42,910 |
| 173 | Phoenix, AZ | $39,350 | $34,170 | $41,890 | $38,090 |
| 174 | Knoxville, TN | $39,330 | $26,250 | $45,780 | $42,490 |
| 175 | Indianapolis, IN | $39,290 | $30,680 | $43,510 | $41,060 |
| 176 | Ann Arbor, MI | $39,250 | $32,260 | $42,680 | $38,910 |
| 177 | Michigan City, IN | $39,250 | $29,350 | $44,120 | $42,810 |
| 178 | Billings, MT | $39,190 | $31,120 | $43,160 | $41,900 |
| 179 | Flagstaff, AZ | $39,080 | $34,050 | $41,560 | $38,950 |
| 180 | Battle Creek, MI | $39,060 | $31,390 | $42,830 | $43,140 |
| 181 | Charlotte, NC-SC | $39,000 | $31,490 | $42,700 | $40,060 |
| 182 | Allentown, PA-NJ | $38,980 | $30,950 | $42,930 | $38,990 |
| 183 | Lawrence, KS | $38,980 | $32,680 | $42,080 | $43,190 |
| 184 | Richmond, VA | $38,980 | $30,760 | $43,040 | $39,830 |
| 185 | Midland, TX | $38,900 | $27,100 | $44,720 | $40,610 |
| 186 | Hammond, LA | $38,830 | $27,080 | $44,620 | $45,970 |
| 187 | Davenport, IA-IL | $38,630 | $30,600 | $42,560 | $43,370 |
| 188 | Columbia, MO | $38,540 | $29,600 | $42,930 | $43,090 |
| 189 | Monroe, LA | $38,480 | $25,000 | $45,120 | $46,030 |
| 190 | Elkhart, IN | $38,440 | $29,450 | $42,870 | $42,560 |
| 191 | Asheville, NC | $38,400 | $29,410 | $42,810 | $39,790 |
| 192 | Lewiston, ID-WA | $38,360 | $32,030 | $41,480 | $42,080 |
| 193 | Oklahoma City, OK | $38,360 | $27,500 | $43,680 | $42,430 |
| 194 | Durham, NC | $38,310 | $30,640 | $42,100 | $39,260 |
| 195 | North Port, FL | $38,250 | $31,740 | $41,480 | $37,350 |
| 196 | Austin, TX | $38,190 | $29,040 | $42,700 | $38,940 |
| 197 | Joplin, MO-KS | $38,080 | $29,060 | $42,560 | $44,420 |
| 198 | Tampa, FL | $38,080 | $29,910 | $42,100 | $37,740 |
| 199 | Little Rock, AR | $38,040 | $27,680 | $43,120 | $42,570 |
| 200 | Reading, PA | $38,040 | $30,100 | $41,970 | $39,190 |
| 201 | Parkersburg, WV | $38,000 | $24,730 | $44,530 | $43,650 |
| 202 | Tulsa, OK | $38,000 | $25,940 | $43,930 | $42,590 |
| 203 | Lansing, MI | $37,980 | $30,780 | $41,540 | $39,980 |
| 204 | Raleigh, NC | $37,940 | $30,830 | $41,430 | $38,650 |
| 205 | Cleveland, OH | $37,920 | $27,710 | $42,950 | $40,370 |
| 206 | Johnson City, TN | $37,900 | $25,250 | $44,140 | $43,100 |
| 207 | Harrisonburg, VA | $37,880 | $29,620 | $41,950 | $39,920 |
| 208 | Minot, ND | $37,750 | $25,770 | $43,640 | $43,380 |
| 209 | San Antonio, TX | $37,670 | $26,830 | $42,990 | $39,770 |
| 210 | Mobile, AL | $37,650 | $23,130 | $44,800 | $42,740 |
| 211 | Dayton, OH | $37,630 | $28,140 | $42,310 | $40,600 |
| 212 | Missoula, MT | $37,630 | $30,970 | $40,910 | $39,020 |
| 213 | Crestview, FL | $37,540 | $30,330 | $41,100 | $38,690 |
| 214 | Shreveport, LA | $37,480 | $24,690 | $43,760 | $44,220 |
| 215 | Great Falls, MT | $37,380 | $30,620 | $40,730 | $38,600 |
| 216 | Miami, FL | $37,360 | $30,260 | $40,850 | $32,730 |
| 217 | Monroe, MI | $37,360 | $30,040 | $40,980 | $39,960 |
| 218 | Jacksonville, FL | $37,290 | $31,030 | $40,370 | $37,480 |
| 219 | Tucson, AZ | $37,250 | $31,720 | $40,000 | $38,440 |
| 220 | Wheeling, WV-OH | $37,230 | $25,400 | $43,060 | $42,150 |
| 221 | Springfield, OH | $37,110 | $26,920 | $42,120 | $41,010 |
| 222 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $37,040 | $28,120 | $41,450 | $38,840 |
| 223 | Palm Bay, FL | $37,040 | $30,240 | $40,370 | $37,040 |
| 224 | Williamsport, PA | $37,020 | $28,250 | $41,330 | $40,090 |
| 225 | Columbus, IN | $37,000 | $30,080 | $40,410 | $39,780 |
| 226 | Homosassa Springs, FL | $37,000 | $29,140 | $40,850 | $39,590 |
| 227 | Kalamazoo, MI | $36,900 | $30,390 | $40,100 | $38,910 |
| 228 | Charleston, WV | $36,840 | $25,040 | $42,640 | $41,530 |
| 229 | Myrtle Beach, SC | $36,840 | $27,930 | $41,230 | $39,340 |
| 230 | Sheboygan, WI | $36,840 | $29,990 | $40,210 | $39,190 |
| 231 | Elizabethtown, KY | $36,770 | $25,460 | $42,350 | $40,600 |
| 232 | South Bend, IN-MI | $36,770 | $27,730 | $41,230 | $39,600 |
| 233 | Helena, MT | $36,730 | $27,310 | $41,370 | $38,390 |
| 234 | Pinehurst, NC | $36,650 | $28,580 | $40,620 | $41,490 |
| 235 | Prescott Valley, AZ | $36,650 | $31,220 | $39,330 | $37,300 |
| 236 | Florence, SC | $36,630 | $25,600 | $42,060 | $42,210 |
| 237 | La Crosse, WI-MN | $36,630 | $29,600 | $40,100 | $39,920 |
| 238 | Beaumont, TX | $36,610 | $25,310 | $42,160 | $40,660 |
| 239 | Evansville, IN | $36,610 | $28,660 | $40,520 | $40,000 |
| 240 | Houston, TX | $36,610 | $27,310 | $41,180 | $37,120 |
| 241 | Dallas, TX | $36,500 | $27,190 | $41,100 | $35,410 |
| 242 | Lancaster, PA | $36,480 | $30,280 | $39,540 | $37,130 |
| 243 | Spartanburg, SC | $36,480 | $27,810 | $40,750 | $40,070 |
| 244 | Wilmington, NC | $36,480 | $28,520 | $40,410 | $37,830 |
| 245 | Bay City, MI | $36,460 | $29,080 | $40,100 | $39,660 |
| 246 | Bloomington, IN | $36,460 | $28,790 | $40,250 | $38,350 |
| 247 | Orlando, FL | $36,420 | $30,390 | $39,420 | $35,910 |
| 248 | Yuma, AZ | $36,420 | $30,800 | $39,190 | $39,290 |
| 249 | Dubuque, IA | $36,380 | $26,420 | $41,270 | $41,660 |
| 250 | Fort Wayne, IN | $36,360 | $28,430 | $40,250 | $39,280 |
| 251 | Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $36,360 | $27,350 | $40,790 | $39,070 |
| 252 | Punta Gorda, FL | $36,360 | $29,660 | $39,640 | $36,170 |
| 253 | Salt Lake City, UT | $36,360 | $29,220 | $39,870 | $36,050 |
| 254 | Springfield, MO | $36,340 | $29,120 | $39,890 | $41,020 |
| 255 | Midland, MI | $36,300 | $30,200 | $39,290 | $39,490 |
| 256 | Lafayette, IN | $36,250 | $28,100 | $40,270 | $38,800 |
| 257 | Niles, MI | $36,250 | $30,010 | $39,310 | $39,240 |
| 258 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $36,230 | $27,560 | $40,500 | $40,720 |
| 259 | Greensboro, NC | $36,230 | $28,910 | $39,830 | $39,010 |
| 260 | Charleston, SC | $36,210 | $28,720 | $39,920 | $35,860 |
| 261 | Blacksburg, VA | $36,190 | $29,080 | $39,690 | $39,040 |
| 262 | Huntington, WV-KY-OH | $36,170 | $24,860 | $41,750 | $40,910 |
| 263 | Janesville, WI | $36,170 | $27,390 | $40,500 | $38,600 |
| 264 | Port St. Lucie, FL | $36,170 | $29,700 | $39,350 | $36,090 |
| 265 | Milwaukee, WI | $36,090 | $28,850 | $39,640 | $37,230 |
| 266 | Terre Haute, IN | $36,090 | $26,920 | $40,600 | $41,110 |
| 267 | Provo, UT | $36,070 | $28,270 | $39,920 | $36,720 |
| 268 | Scranton, PA | $36,070 | $28,660 | $39,710 | $38,550 |
| 269 | Greenville, SC | $36,000 | $27,870 | $40,020 | $38,600 |
| 270 | York, PA | $35,960 | $30,100 | $38,850 | $37,460 |
| 271 | Ogden, UT | $35,940 | $28,430 | $39,640 | $35,820 |
| 272 | Sebring, FL | $35,940 | $28,910 | $39,420 | $38,870 |
| 273 | Cape Coral, FL | $35,920 | $30,140 | $38,790 | $35,100 |
| 274 | Fond du Lac, WI | $35,920 | $28,020 | $39,810 | $39,200 |
| 275 | Beckley, WV | $35,900 | $24,360 | $41,580 | $40,630 |
| 276 | Casper, WY | $35,860 | $26,890 | $40,290 | $38,220 |
| 277 | Lebanon, PA | $35,860 | $30,470 | $38,520 | $38,470 |
| 278 | Flint, MI | $35,820 | $30,800 | $38,270 | $38,500 |
| 279 | Lima, OH | $35,820 | $26,460 | $40,440 | $39,950 |
| 280 | Wichita Falls, TX | $35,820 | $25,710 | $40,810 | $40,020 |
| 281 | Sebastian, FL | $35,760 | $30,100 | $38,540 | $36,380 |
| 282 | Boise City, ID | $35,710 | $28,140 | $39,460 | $36,290 |
| 283 | Des Moines, IA | $35,710 | $28,850 | $39,080 | $38,940 |
| 284 | Pittsburgh, PA | $35,710 | $26,770 | $40,120 | $37,720 |
| 285 | Sierra Vista, AZ | $35,710 | $30,760 | $38,170 | $40,010 |
| 286 | Harrisburg, PA | $35,690 | $29,180 | $38,880 | $36,180 |
| 287 | Lakeland, FL | $35,690 | $29,240 | $38,850 | $36,740 |
| 288 | Deltona, FL | $35,610 | $29,830 | $38,460 | $35,840 |
| 289 | Gettysburg, PA | $35,590 | $29,120 | $38,770 | $37,310 |
| 290 | Green Bay, WI | $35,590 | $28,890 | $38,880 | $38,230 |
| 291 | Gainesville, FL | $35,550 | $29,490 | $38,540 | $36,750 |
| 292 | Guayama, PR | $35,530 | $31,010 | $37,770 | N/A |
| 293 | Idaho Falls, ID | $35,420 | $27,620 | $39,270 | $37,520 |
| 294 | Kenosha, WI | $35,320 | $29,060 | $38,420 | $34,930 |
| 295 | Lynchburg, VA | $35,320 | $28,770 | $38,560 | $39,520 |
| 296 | Sandusky, OH | $35,320 | $26,770 | $39,520 | $39,560 |
| 297 | Winston, NC | $35,320 | $27,830 | $39,020 | $38,370 |
| 298 | Eau Claire, WI | $35,280 | $28,600 | $38,560 | $38,020 |
| 299 | Burlington, NC | $35,210 | $26,980 | $39,270 | $37,780 |
| 300 | Owensboro, KY | $35,190 | $25,920 | $39,770 | $39,710 |
| 301 | Appleton, WI | $35,110 | $29,100 | $38,060 | $37,990 |
| 302 | Sherman, TX | $35,070 | $23,340 | $40,850 | $37,400 |
| 303 | Racine, WI | $35,030 | $28,060 | $38,460 | $36,500 |
| 304 | Columbus, OH | $34,960 | $28,520 | $38,130 | $36,620 |
| 305 | Paducah, KY-IL | $34,960 | $25,630 | $39,560 | $40,610 |
| 306 | Logan, UT-ID | $34,920 | $27,660 | $38,500 | $36,400 |
| 307 | Altoona, PA | $34,880 | $29,080 | $37,750 | $38,970 |
| 308 | Lafayette, LA | $34,880 | $24,130 | $40,190 | $40,000 |
| 309 | St. George, UT | $34,860 | $27,620 | $38,420 | $35,820 |
| 310 | Panama City, FL | $34,820 | $29,270 | $37,560 | $35,790 |
| 311 | Greenville, NC | $34,800 | $27,330 | $38,480 | $39,370 |
| 312 | Wildwood, FL | $34,800 | $29,680 | $37,320 | $40,740 |
| 313 | Ocala, FL | $34,740 | $28,950 | $37,590 | $36,480 |
| 314 | Akron, OH | $34,690 | $27,870 | $38,060 | $37,150 |
| 315 | Pensacola, FL | $34,670 | $29,270 | $37,340 | $35,480 |
| 316 | Oshkosh, WI | $34,610 | $28,060 | $37,860 | $37,240 |
| 317 | Dover, DE | $34,590 | $31,200 | $36,250 | $35,470 |
| 318 | Lexington, KY | $34,570 | $26,100 | $38,750 | $37,220 |
| 319 | Ames, IA | $34,530 | $28,020 | $37,730 | $38,870 |
| 320 | Canton, OH | $34,530 | $26,400 | $38,540 | $38,620 |
| 321 | State College, PA | $34,510 | $28,970 | $37,230 | $35,660 |
| 322 | Lake Havasu City, AZ | $34,490 | $30,830 | $36,300 | $36,650 |
| 323 | Cheyenne, WY | $34,420 | $25,770 | $38,690 | $35,670 |
| 324 | Lawton, OK | $34,420 | $24,290 | $39,400 | $40,050 |
| 325 | Texarkana, TX-AR | $34,380 | $24,000 | $39,480 | $40,920 |
| 326 | Waterloo, IA | $34,380 | $27,520 | $37,750 | $39,490 |
| 327 | Jefferson City, MO | $34,280 | $28,950 | $36,900 | $38,970 |
| 328 | Killeen, TX | $34,280 | $26,000 | $38,360 | $37,620 |
| 329 | Erie, PA | $34,220 | $28,080 | $37,250 | $37,630 |
| 330 | Morgantown, WV | $34,200 | $24,360 | $39,060 | $36,650 |
| 331 | Youngstown, OH | $34,150 | $26,120 | $38,130 | $39,080 |
| 332 | Hickory, NC | $34,110 | $27,750 | $37,230 | $38,550 |
| 333 | Iowa City, IA | $34,110 | $26,270 | $37,980 | $37,280 |
| 334 | Toledo, OH | $34,090 | $27,580 | $37,320 | $37,280 |
| 335 | Mayaguez, PR | $34,050 | $24,940 | $38,520 | N/A |
| 336 | Fayetteville, NC | $33,990 | $27,390 | $37,230 | $36,950 |
| 337 | Wausau, WI | $33,920 | $28,810 | $36,440 | $36,610 |
| 338 | Abilene, TX | $33,900 | $26,210 | $37,690 | $37,510 |
| 339 | Odessa, TX | $33,900 | $26,500 | $37,560 | $36,100 |
| 340 | Jacksonville, NC | $33,860 | $27,410 | $37,020 | $36,770 |
| 341 | El Paso, TX | $33,740 | $24,090 | $38,500 | $37,530 |
| 342 | San Juan, PR | $33,740 | $24,670 | $38,190 | N/A |
| 343 | Weirton, WV-OH | $33,720 | $22,920 | $39,040 | $37,880 |
| 344 | Twin Falls, ID | $33,590 | $26,600 | $37,040 | $36,470 |
| 345 | Bowling Green, KY | $33,570 | $24,020 | $38,290 | $37,230 |
| 346 | Tallahassee, FL | $33,430 | $28,790 | $35,710 | $35,590 |
| 347 | Amarillo, TX | $33,380 | $25,170 | $37,420 | $36,350 |
| 348 | Mansfield, OH | $33,320 | $24,480 | $37,670 | $37,490 |
| 349 | Hattiesburg, MS | $33,160 | $21,070 | $39,100 | $37,840 |
| 350 | Muncie, IN | $33,160 | $24,980 | $37,190 | $37,620 |
| 351 | Columbia, SC | $33,130 | $26,600 | $36,360 | $35,370 |
| 352 | Goldsboro, NC | $33,110 | $26,040 | $36,610 | $37,430 |
| 353 | Johnstown, PA | $33,110 | $26,310 | $36,440 | $38,530 |
| 354 | Gulfport, MS | $33,070 | $21,470 | $38,770 | $36,740 |
| 355 | Arecibo, PR | $32,930 | $22,860 | $37,880 | N/A |
| 356 | Enid, OK | $32,780 | $20,530 | $38,790 | $38,900 |
| 357 | Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $32,740 | $28,600 | $34,780 | $38,040 |
| 358 | Aguadilla, PR | $32,700 | $24,560 | $36,710 | N/A |
| 359 | Jackson, MS | $32,660 | $21,320 | $38,230 | $36,680 |
| 360 | Longview, TX | $32,430 | $25,000 | $36,090 | $36,240 |
| 361 | Waco, TX | $32,390 | $25,830 | $35,610 | $35,000 |
| 362 | Rocky Mount, NC | $32,360 | $24,520 | $36,210 | $36,770 |
| 363 | Tyler, TX | $32,240 | $23,380 | $36,610 | $34,980 |
| 364 | Chambersburg, PA | $32,200 | $25,250 | $35,630 | $34,020 |
| 365 | Birmingham, AL | $32,180 | $24,000 | $36,210 | $35,110 |
| 366 | Clarksville, TN-KY | $32,090 | $25,650 | $35,280 | $35,280 |
| 367 | Ponce, PR | $32,070 | $24,500 | $35,820 | N/A |
| 368 | Corpus Christi, TX | $31,660 | $24,040 | $35,400 | $34,160 |
| 369 | Laredo, TX | $31,410 | $23,900 | $35,090 | $36,120 |
| 370 | Lubbock, TX | $31,410 | $24,690 | $34,720 | $34,400 |
| 371 | College Station, TX | $31,030 | $23,590 | $34,690 | $34,120 |
| 372 | Brownsville, TX | $30,760 | $22,340 | $34,900 | $35,780 |
| 373 | Cleveland, TN | $30,530 | $23,860 | $33,840 | $34,660 |
| 374 | Montgomery, AL | $30,530 | $22,240 | $34,630 | $34,040 |
| 375 | Dothan, AL | $30,280 | $21,740 | $34,510 | $36,120 |
| 376 | Huntsville, AL | $30,010 | $23,500 | $33,220 | $32,240 |
| 377 | Victoria, TX | $29,680 | $22,550 | $33,200 | $33,040 |
| 378 | Tuscaloosa, AL | $29,660 | $22,650 | $33,110 | $33,810 |
| 379 | Daphne, AL | $29,430 | $22,670 | $32,780 | $31,080 |
| 380 | Auburn, AL | $29,060 | $22,210 | $32,430 | $33,050 |
| 381 | Anniston, AL | $27,730 | $21,240 | $30,930 | $32,260 |
| 382 | Gadsden, AL | $27,660 | $20,840 | $31,030 | $32,290 |
| 383 | Florence, AL | $26,920 | $20,990 | $29,850 | $31,740 |
More
More on preschool teachers
Method
About these numbers
- Mean wages are BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2025 estimates for each metropolitan statistical area, as published in the Department of Labor’s 2026–27 OFLC prevailing-wage file. Only metros with their own BLS estimate are listed.
- Entry (Level I) and experienced (Level IV) are the Department of Labor’s prevailing-wage levels for the occupation in that metro, used for employer visa filings. They are benchmarks from the same OEWS survey, not percentiles.
- OEWS top-codes wages at $115 an hour ($239,200 a year); top-coded means are shown as "$239,200+" and left out of rankings.
- At US prices divides the mean by the metro’s BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) over 100, a NueCareer calculation.
Questions
Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education salary by city: FAQ
Which city pays preschool teachers the most?
Vineland, NJ, where the average (mean) wage is $62,570 a year, followed by Albany, GA ($62,070), Atlantic City, NJ ($58,570), Brunswick, GA ($58,180). The national mean is $43,030 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Where do preschool teachers earn the most after cost of living?
Divided by each metro's BEA price level, pay goes furthest in Albany, GA ($70,800 at national prices, $62,070 nominal), Brunswick, GA ($66,330 at national prices, $58,180 nominal), Vineland, NJ ($65,200 at national prices, $62,570 nominal).
How much do preschool teachers make in the biggest cities?
New York, NY-NJ: $55,540; Los Angeles, CA: $50,540; Chicago, IL-IN: $45,740; Dallas, TX: $36,500; Houston, TX: $36,610 (mean annual wage, BLS OEWS May 2025).
Where do preschool teachers earn the least?
Of the 383 metro areas with their own estimate, Florence, AL has the lowest mean wage, $26,920. At local prices that is worth $31,740.