Preschool Teachers

Although there have been some attempts to correct the discrepancies in salaries between preschool teachers and other teachers, salaries in this profession tend to be lower than teaching positions in public elementary and high schools. Because some preschool programs are held only in the morning or afternoon, many preschool teachers work only part time. As part-time workers, they often do not receive medical insurance or other benefits and may get paid minimum wage to start.

Preschool teachers earned a median salary of $37,130 in May 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Annual salaries for these workers ranged from less than $28,200 to $60,900 or more. The department reports that kindergarten teachers earned median annual salaries of $62,690 in May 2023. The lowest 10 percent earned $45,650, while the highest 10 percent earned $100,390 or more.

Depending on their employers, most full-time preschool teachers enjoy fringe benefits such as paid vacation, holiday, and sick time and medical and dental insurance.