verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Preschool Teacher Salary in California

Median Annual in California
$47,400/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$22.79/hr
▲ 24% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in California

groups Employed in CA
55,700
public U.S. Median
$38,140
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$42,811 #20 of 51

Preschool Teacher pay in California, explained

Preschool teachers in California earn a median of $47,400 per year ($22.79 per hour), which is 24% above the national median of $38,140. Entry-level workers earn around $37,870, while the most experienced preschool teachers reach about $65,350. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within California.

Is $47,400 good pay in California?

Adjusted for California's cost of living (which runs 111% of the U.S. average), that $47,400 is worth about $42,811 in national buying power — ranking California #20 for real pay (vs #6 on the sticker number).

See the full Preschool Teacher Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Preschool Teacher pay by experience in California

Entry level (10th pct)
$37,870
$18.21/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$47,400
$22.79/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$65,350
$31.42/hr

Preschool Teacher pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs CA
California (here) $47,400 $42,811
Oregon $45,140 $43,672 +$2,260
Nevada $38,870 $38,878 +$8,530
Arizona $36,300 $36,056 +$11,100

Preschool Teacher in California: FAQ

How much do preschool teachers make in California?

Preschool teachers in California earn a median of $47,400 per year ($22.79 per hour), compared with $38,140 nationally.

Does California pay preschool teachers well?

At $47,400, California pays 24% above the national median for preschool teachers. An estimated 55,700 work in the state.

Preschool Teacher salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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