Preschool Teacher salary in California: $47,400 median.
How pay for preschool teachers in California compares with the national figure and other states, and where in the state it is highest.
Hourly pay in California, BLS May 2025: 10th percentile $18.21 · 25th $21.11 · median $22.79 · 75th $28.44 · 90th $31.42.
Preschool Teachers in California earned a median of $47,400 a year in May 2025 (BLS), 24% above the national median of $38,140. California ranked 6 of 51 for this occupation's median pay, with about 55,700 people employed.
- California median
- $47,400
- $22.79/hr
- U.S. median
- $38,140
- +24% in California
- Rank among states
- 6 of 51
- by median pay
- Employed
- 55,700
- location quotient 0.99
More on preschool teacher pay in California
The median hourly wage for workers in the BLS occupation “Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education” in California was $22.79 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
The middle half of workers in the BLS occupation “Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education” in California earned between $43,910 and $59,150 a year in May 2025 (25th to 75th percentile, BLS).
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
The lowest-paid 10% of workers in the BLS occupation “Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education” in California earned less than $37,870 a year in May 2025, and the top 10% more than $65,350 (BLS).
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
The mean annual wage for workers in the BLS occupation “Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education” in California was $51,190 in May 2025, according to BLS; the mean is a different measure from the median.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Where in California it pays most
Data Metropolitan areas in the state with at least 30 people employed in the occupation.
States with similar pay
Data Ranked by state median, BLS May 2025.
See all states on the national Preschool Teacher salary page.
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How this page is built
BLS OEWS state and metropolitan-area estimates for May 2025, for the occupation shown. Ranks compare state medians only.
- Cost of living, which changes what a salary is worth.
- Pay at a specific employer or for self-employed workers.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates (public domain).
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