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

Preschool Teacher Salary in Iowa

Median Annual in Iowa
$33,830/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$16.26/hr
▼ 11% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Iowa

groups Employed in IA
5,910
public U.S. Median
$38,140
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$38,547 #31 of 51

Preschool Teacher pay in Iowa, explained

Preschool teachers in Iowa earn a median of $33,830 per year ($16.26 per hour), which is 11% below the national median of $38,140. Entry-level workers earn around $27,730, while the most experienced preschool teachers reach about $48,390. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Iowa.

Is $33,830 good pay in Iowa?

Adjusted for Iowa's cost of living (which runs 88% of the U.S. average), that $33,830 is worth about $38,547 in national buying power — ranking Iowa #31 for real pay (vs #45 on the sticker number).

See the full Preschool Teacher Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Preschool Teacher pay by experience in Iowa

Entry level (10th pct)
$27,730
$13.33/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$33,830
$16.26/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$48,390
$23.26/hr

Preschool Teacher pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs IA
Iowa (here) $33,830 $38,547 —
Nebraska $47,040 $52,207 −$13,210
South Dakota $44,500 $50,234 −$10,670
Minnesota $43,430 $44,037 −$9,600
Illinois $40,910 $40,927 −$7,080
Wisconsin $36,160 $38,429 −$2,330
Missouri $36,090 $39,739 −$2,260

Preschool Teacher in Iowa: FAQ

How much do preschool teachers make in Iowa?

Preschool teachers in Iowa earn a median of $33,830 per year ($16.26 per hour), compared with $38,140 nationally.

Does Iowa pay preschool teachers well?

At $33,830, Iowa pays 11% below the national median for preschool teachers. An estimated 5,910 work in the state.

Preschool Teacher salary in other states

District of Columbia · $62,150 Vermont · $49,730 Hawaii · $48,780 New Jersey · $48,220 Kansas · $47,750 California · $47,400 Nebraska · $47,040 New York · $46,520 Alaska · $46,130 Massachusetts · $45,890 Connecticut · $45,740 Washington · $45,660

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

Related careers in Iowa

Elementary School Teacher $60,580/yr median School Counselor $56,540/yr median Social Worker $52,250/yr median