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

Preschool Teacher Salary in Illinois

Median Annual in Illinois
$40,910/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$19.67/hr
▲ 7% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Illinois

groups Employed in IL
22,420
public U.S. Median
$38,140
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$40,927 #24 of 51

Preschool Teacher pay in Illinois, explained

Preschool teachers in Illinois earn a median of $40,910 per year ($19.67 per hour), which is 7% above the national median of $38,140. Entry-level workers earn around $36,030, while the most experienced preschool teachers reach about $60,890. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Illinois.

Is $40,910 good pay in Illinois?

Adjusted for Illinois's cost of living (which runs 100% of the U.S. average), that $40,910 is worth about $40,927 in national buying power — ranking Illinois #24 for real pay (vs #21 on the sticker number).

See the full Preschool Teacher Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Preschool Teacher pay by experience in Illinois

Entry level (10th pct)
$36,030
$17.32/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$40,910
$19.67/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$60,890
$29.27/hr

Preschool Teacher pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs IL
Illinois (here) $40,910 $40,927
Indiana $36,650 $39,270 +$4,260
Wisconsin $36,160 $38,429 +$4,750
Missouri $36,090 $39,739 +$4,820
Iowa $33,830 $38,547 +$7,080
Kentucky $29,780 $33,031 +$11,130

Preschool Teacher in Illinois: FAQ

How much do preschool teachers make in Illinois?

Preschool teachers in Illinois earn a median of $40,910 per year ($19.67 per hour), compared with $38,140 nationally.

Does Illinois pay preschool teachers well?

At $40,910, Illinois pays 7% above the national median for preschool teachers. An estimated 22,420 work in the state.

Preschool Teacher salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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