Kindergarten teacher salary
BLS occupation: Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education · Education and libraries · data for May 2025
Median salary $62,680 a year, US
Median hourly pay Paid yearly
Middle half earn $52,180–$79,910 25th to 75th percentile
Kindergarten teachers employed 108,870 −0.3% projected by 2035
How much does a kindergarten teacher make?
- The median kindergarten teacher salary in the US is $62,680 a year: half of the 108,870 kindergarten teachers BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $69,370.
- The middle half earn between $52,180 and $79,910. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $46,990 and the top 10% more than $101,830.
- That is 23% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- Washington pays kindergarten teachers the most (median $99,960), followed by Connecticut ($90,030) and Rhode Island ($85,470). Montana pays the least ($47,590).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Washington, where the median is worth $93,409 in typical US prices, then Connecticut and Rhode Island.
- In 154 of the 285 metro areas with data, the median kindergarten teacher salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of kindergarten teachers to shrink 0.3% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 11,900 openings a year. The typical entry education is a bachelor's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what kindergarten teachers are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Kindergarten teacher salary range
Half of kindergarten teachers earn between $52,180 and $79,910 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $46,990
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $52,180
Median Yearly pay: $62,680
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $79,910
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $101,830
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $46,990 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $52,180 |
| Median | $62,680 |
| Top 25% earn over | $79,910 |
| Top 10% earn over | $101,830 |
Kindergarten teacher salary by state
Washington pays kindergarten teachers the most; Montana the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($62,680), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Washington | $99,960 median |
| Connecticut | $90,030 median |
| Rhode Island | $85,470 median |
| Massachusetts | $84,100 median |
| California | $82,550 median |
| District of Columbia | $81,500 median |
| New York | $77,630 median |
| Maryland | $75,910 median |
| Minnesota | $75,500 median |
| New Mexico | $74,380 median |
| New Jersey | $74,210 median |
| Delaware | $74,030 median |
| Ohio | $72,570 median |
| Oregon | $68,580 median |
| Georgia | $65,680 median |
| Nevada | $64,930 median |
| Pennsylvania | $64,430 median |
| Illinois | $64,020 median |
| Virginia | $63,920 median |
| Texas | $63,780 median |
| Michigan | $63,300 median |
| Vermont | $63,280 median |
| Utah | $63,190 median |
| Colorado | $62,870 median |
| Idaho | $62,240 median |
| Nebraska | $62,200 median |
| Wyoming | $60,990 median |
| South Carolina | $60,890 median |
| Kentucky | $60,280 median |
| New Hampshire | $60,240 median |
| North Dakota | $59,420 median |
| Wisconsin | $59,350 median |
| West Virginia | $58,790 median |
| Iowa | $58,420 median |
| Indiana | $58,250 median |
| Florida | $58,100 median |
| Tennessee | $58,070 median |
| Kansas | $56,670 median |
| Missouri | $56,590 median |
| North Carolina | $53,180 median |
| Hawaii | $53,160 median |
| Louisiana | $53,130 median |
| Arizona | $52,830 median |
| Maine | $52,660 median |
| Arkansas | $52,060 median |
| Alabama | $50,900 median |
| South Dakota | $49,410 median |
| Mississippi | $48,880 median |
| Oklahoma | $47,860 median |
| Montana | $47,590 median |
Where kindergarten teacher pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Kindergarten teachers' pay goes furthest in Washington once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Washington | $93,409 |
| Connecticut | $86,893 |
| Rhode Island | $83,565 |
| New Mexico | $80,662 |
| Massachusetts | $79,522 |
| Ohio | $78,222 |
| Minnesota | $76,556 |
| California | $74,557 |
| Delaware | $74,172 |
| District of Columbia | $74,158 |
Kindergarten teacher pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $99,960 | $65,400 | $125,990 | 5,270 | $93,409 |
| Connecticut | $90,030 | $61,730 | $111,450 | 1,420 | $86,893 |
| Rhode Island | $85,470 | $38,050 | $99,320 | 360 | $83,565 |
| Massachusetts | $84,100 | $58,900 | $106,600 | 1,980 | $79,522 |
| California | $82,550 | $53,210 | $124,400 | 7,430 | $74,557 |
| District of Columbia | $81,500 | $63,530 | $123,530 | 180 | $74,158 |
| New York | $77,630 | $49,020 | $137,710 | 6,950 | $71,932 |
| Maryland | $75,910 | $56,520 | $108,360 | 1,560 | $72,323 |
| Minnesota | $75,500 | $45,280 | $98,680 | 2,840 | $76,556 |
| New Mexico | $74,380 | $51,420 | $88,570 | 950 | $80,662 |
| New Jersey | $74,210 | $60,040 | $102,870 | 5,370 | $68,205 |
| Delaware | $74,030 | $46,940 | $82,950 | 70 | $74,172 |
| Ohio | $72,570 | $46,040 | $97,880 | 3,290 | $78,222 |
| Oregon | $68,580 | $49,190 | $98,100 | 1,330 | $66,350 |
| Georgia | $65,680 | $48,610 | $95,070 | 4,530 | $68,208 |
| Nevada | $64,930 | $55,020 | $82,740 | 1,400 | $64,944 |
| Pennsylvania | $64,430 | $41,700 | $92,600 | 2,510 | $66,033 |
| Illinois | $64,020 | $46,040 | $103,420 | 4,660 | $64,047 |
| Virginia | $63,920 | $48,850 | $100,930 | 3,740 | $63,222 |
| Texas | $63,780 | $43,730 | $72,640 | 3,820 | $65,714 |
| Michigan | $63,300 | $39,070 | $95,320 | 1,890 | $65,789 |
| Vermont | $63,280 | $49,120 | $89,030 | 250 | $64,599 |
| Utah | $63,190 | $40,900 | $95,620 | 530 | $63,916 |
| Colorado | $62,870 | $47,300 | $97,710 | 3,260 | $61,008 |
| Idaho | $62,240 | $49,840 | $81,240 | 460 | $65,177 |
| Nebraska | $62,200 | $46,260 | $78,160 | 1,120 | $69,032 |
| Wyoming | $60,990 | $50,980 | $75,280 | 360 | $65,799 |
| South Carolina | $60,890 | $47,730 | $79,090 | 1,540 | $64,950 |
| Kentucky | $60,280 | $44,980 | $79,920 | 2,450 | $66,860 |
| New Hampshire | $60,240 | $47,150 | $83,570 | 520 | $57,831 |
| North Dakota | $59,420 | $47,490 | $77,890 | 600 | $66,795 |
| Wisconsin | $59,350 | $39,990 | $79,340 | 1,510 | $63,075 |
| West Virginia | $58,790 | $47,630 | $72,210 | 730 | $65,689 |
| Iowa | $58,420 | $47,020 | $75,860 | 1,160 | $66,566 |
| Indiana | $58,250 | $46,260 | $76,200 | 2,120 | $62,414 |
| Florida | $58,100 | $49,960 | $77,460 | 8,810 | $56,182 |
| Tennessee | $58,070 | $46,980 | $74,440 | 2,740 | $63,209 |
| Kansas | $56,670 | $47,180 | $65,070 | 1,300 | $62,919 |
| Missouri | $56,590 | $44,520 | $79,100 | 2,300 | $62,312 |
| North Carolina | $53,180 | $40,760 | $63,620 | 2,250 | $56,379 |
| Hawaii | $53,160 | $47,740 | $75,340 | 90 | $48,349 |
| Louisiana | $53,130 | $44,720 | $60,530 | 3,730 | $60,233 |
| Arizona | $52,830 | $45,850 | $76,760 | 3,020 | $52,475 |
| Maine | $52,660 | $45,350 | $79,290 | 570 | $54,261 |
| Arkansas | $52,060 | $47,240 | $65,710 | 1,490 | $59,882 |
| Alabama | $50,900 | $37,400 | $67,510 | 310 | $57,305 |
| South Dakota | $49,410 | $46,520 | $59,910 | 610 | $55,776 |
| Mississippi | $48,880 | $37,980 | $60,110 | 1,350 | $56,214 |
| Oklahoma | $47,860 | $43,790 | $60,420 | 1,690 | $54,484 |
| Montana | $47,590 | $38,570 | $81,070 | 400 | $50,283 |
BLS does not publish pay for kindergarten teachers in 1 state (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Kindergarten teacher salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes kindergarten teacher pay: 288 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- El Centro, CA $111,880
- Sacramento, CA $106,000
- Modesto, CA $103,790
- Olympia, WA $103,610
- Santa Maria, CA $102,450
- Oxnard, CA $101,780
- Seattle, WA $101,580
- Walla Walla, WA $99,770
- Bridgeport, CT $99,660
- Bellingham, WA $98,460
Where the pay goes furthest
- El Centro, CA $117,553
- Walla Walla, WA $101,270
- Olympia, WA $99,942
- Modesto, CA $99,695
- Sacramento, CA $99,372
- Merced, CA $98,123
- Barnstable, MA $97,142
- Visalia, CA $96,549
- Kingston, NY $96,426
- Mount Vernon, WA $95,497
All 288 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Centro, CA | $111,880 | 50 | $117,553 | 19% |
| Sacramento, CA | $106,000 | 740 | $99,372 | 26% |
| Modesto, CA | $103,790 | 160 | $99,695 | 24% |
| Olympia, WA | $103,610 | 240 | $99,942 | 24% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $102,450 | 290 | $94,165 | 38% |
| Oxnard, CA | $101,780 | 130 | $92,080 | 35% |
| Seattle, WA | $101,580 | 2,530 | $91,404 | 27% |
| Walla Walla, WA | $99,770 | 40 | $101,270 | 18% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $99,660 | 440 | $93,259 | 35% |
| Bellingham, WA | $98,460 | 170 | $95,283 | 24% |
| Mount Vernon, WA | $97,830 | 90 | $95,497 | 27% |
| Kingston, NY | $97,110 | 50 | $96,426 | 25% |
| Bremerton, WA | $97,070 | 150 | $91,916 | 25% |
| Hanford, CA | $96,980 | 60 | $95,441 | 24% |
| Yuba City, CA | $96,570 | 60 | $92,648 | 25% |
| Merced, CA | $96,430 | 140 | $98,123 | 26% |
| Visalia, CA | $96,380 | 240 | $96,549 | 22% |
| Barnstable, MA | $95,540 | 80 | $97,142 | 32% |
| Napa, CA | $94,500 | 50 | $83,960 | 37% |
| Hartford, CT | $93,040 | 440 | $90,553 | 26% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $92,910 | 130 | $86,200 | 34% |
| Norwich, CT | $91,670 | 100 | $91,264 | 27% |
| Vallejo, CA | $91,640 | 100 | $84,477 | 32% |
| Worcester, MA | $89,770 | 200 | $87,561 | 28% |
| Wenatchee, WA | $89,740 | 80 | $86,409 | 23% |
| Spokane, WA | $89,710 | 440 | $89,401 | 20% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $89,330 | 230 | $81,638 | 30% |
| Kennewick, WA | $86,420 | 270 | $86,352 | 24% |
| Providence, RI | $85,470 | 480 | $83,981 | 30% |
| Yakima, WA | $84,700 | 260 | $88,649 | 19% |
| San Jose, CA | $84,620 | 430 | $76,633 | 54% |
| Riverside, CA | $82,550 | 750 | $77,554 | 37% |
| Chico, CA | $82,170 | 70 | $81,198 | 23% |
| Cleveland, OH | $82,080 | 570 | $87,391 | 21% |
| Waterbury, CT | $81,770 | 190 | $81,952 | – |
| Boston, MA | $81,700 | 1,500 | $75,462 | 44% |
| Portland, OR | $81,090 | 900 | $76,920 | 27% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $80,780 | 1,900 | $77,064 | 26% |
| York, PA | $80,710 | 190 | $84,073 | 21% |
| Longview, WA | $80,660 | 100 | $82,690 | 21% |
| Redding, CA | $80,550 | 60 | $80,003 | 25% |
| Scranton, PA | $80,400 | 140 | $85,938 | 20% |
| Traverse City, MI | $80,090 | 50 | $85,775 | 28% |
| Columbus, OH | $79,470 | 730 | $83,242 | 23% |
| New Haven, CT | $79,420 | 180 | $75,957 | 31% |
| Reading, PA | $79,420 | 100 | $81,826 | 23% |
| Boulder, CO | $79,150 | 200 | $75,236 | 33% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $78,910 | 180 | $79,990 | 23% |
| Trenton, NJ | $78,620 | 270 | $76,197 | 39% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $78,580 | 650 | $80,232 | 29% |
| Lancaster, PA | $78,480 | 110 | $79,872 | 24% |
| Lebanon, PA | $78,460 | 30 | $84,172 | 22% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $78,400 | 1,570 | $69,035 | 45% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $78,330 | 440 | $77,642 | 28% |
| Springfield, MA | $77,880 | 100 | $81,073 | 30% |
| New York, NY | $77,400 | 8,180 | $68,761 | 55% |
| Stockton, CA | $77,370 | 210 | $73,623 | 38% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $77,290 | 60 | $71,172 | 44% |
| Washington, DC | $77,200 | 2,400 | $70,901 | 37% |
| Naples, FL | $77,170 | 170 | $74,777 | 41% |
| Utica, NY | $76,790 | 110 | $82,857 | 22% |
| Amherst-Northampton, MA | $76,740 | 40 | $76,554 | – |
| Jacksonville, FL | $76,440 | 740 | $76,836 | 26% |
| Burlington, VT | $76,120 | 80 | $75,404 | 41% |
| Dayton, OH | $75,920 | 220 | $81,904 | 21% |
| Atlanta, GA | $75,690 | 2,650 | $75,646 | 29% |
| Buffalo, NY | $75,460 | 420 | $78,732 | 23% |
| Pittsfield, MA | $75,160 | 40 | $79,028 | 28% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $74,990 | 230 | $75,857 | 33% |
| Denver, CO | $74,960 | 1,610 | $70,863 | 30% |
| Syracuse, NY | $74,800 | 220 | $78,127 | 26% |
| Chambersburg, PA | $74,780 | 30 | $79,014 | 21% |
| San Francisco, CA | $74,600 | 640 | $64,526 | 55% |
| Salem, OR | $74,480 | 140 | $71,858 | 27% |
| Las Cruces, NM | $74,400 | 160 | $82,472 | 24% |
| Lexington Park, MD | $74,160 | 60 | $73,601 | 33% |
| Provo, UT | $74,070 | 130 | $75,403 | 29% |
| Baltimore, MD | $73,940 | 650 | $70,765 | 31% |
| Duluth, MN | $73,900 | 110 | $83,251 | 22% |
| Warner Robins, GA | $72,930 | 90 | $77,760 | 25% |
| Albany, NY | $72,920 | 220 | $73,238 | 28% |
| La Crosse, WI | $72,580 | 30 | $79,090 | 22% |
| Johnstown, PA | $71,850 | 50 | $83,616 | 15% |
| San Diego, CA | $71,690 | 470 | $64,074 | 50% |
| Vineland, NJ | $70,940 | 100 | $73,920 | 28% |
| Detroit, MI | $70,800 | 780 | $70,590 | 26% |
| Chicago, IL | $70,250 | 3,350 | $67,812 | 37% |
| Hinesville, GA | $69,720 | 30 | $74,223 | 30% |
| Gainesville, FL | $69,610 | 140 | $71,961 | 28% |
| North Port, FL | $68,950 | 320 | $67,323 | 37% |
| Albany, OR | $68,710 | 50 | $67,297 | 29% |
| Macon, GA | $68,610 | 140 | $77,501 | 21% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $66,440 | 290 | $69,537 | 27% |
| Akron, OH | $66,240 | 110 | $70,944 | 24% |
| Houston, TX | $65,970 | 1,270 | $66,887 | 30% |
| Binghamton, NY | $65,680 | 90 | $70,728 | 29% |
| Minot, ND | $65,450 | 60 | $75,206 | 23% |
| Owensboro, KY | $65,430 | 70 | $73,840 | 23% |
| Rockford, IL | $65,310 | 100 | $70,870 | 24% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $65,200 | 60 | $68,747 | 24% |
| Bloomington, IL | $65,180 | 70 | $69,684 | 24% |
| Grand Island, NE | $64,940 | 70 | $74,939 | 25% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $64,930 | 1,080 | $64,791 | 32% |
| El Paso, TX | $64,900 | 140 | $72,182 | 28% |
| Glens Falls, NY | $64,890 | 60 | $68,402 | 27% |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $64,810 | 100 | $66,121 | 36% |
| Salisbury, MD | $64,730 | 50 | $67,697 | 36% |
| Springfield, IL | $64,270 | 120 | $69,298 | 23% |
| Allentown, PA | $64,250 | 300 | $64,271 | 34% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $64,190 | 1,490 | $62,591 | 36% |
| Valdosta, GA | $64,020 | 80 | $72,527 | 25% |
| Lexington, KY | $63,950 | 300 | $68,846 | 30% |
| Mankato, MN | $63,890 | 50 | $70,244 | 23% |
| Youngstown, OH | $63,730 | 100 | $72,923 | 20% |
| Decatur, IL | $63,530 | 40 | $71,849 | 20% |
| Rochester, MN | $63,510 | 60 | $69,929 | 30% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $63,360 | 130 | $71,221 | 23% |
| Dallas, TX | $63,330 | 890 | $61,432 | 31% |
| Lansing, MI | $63,300 | 100 | $66,638 | 25% |
| McAllen, TX | $63,280 | 250 | $73,671 | 21% |
| Boise, ID | $63,230 | 170 | $64,264 | 37% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $63,200 | 260 | $66,146 | 31% |
| Savannah, GA | $63,190 | 220 | $66,372 | 34% |
| Gainesville, GA | $63,020 | 60 | $65,126 | 32% |
| Wausau, WI | $62,950 | 30 | $67,943 | 18% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $62,940 | 460 | $64,929 | 30% |
| Manchester, NH | $62,860 | 160 | $59,494 | 41% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $62,840 | 60 | $67,718 | 22% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $62,780 | 190 | $62,240 | 31% |
| Reno, NV | $62,750 | 220 | $62,120 | 40% |
| Hagerstown, MD | $62,740 | 100 | $66,623 | 31% |
| San Antonio, TX | $62,600 | 330 | $66,092 | 27% |
| Erie, PA | $62,530 | 90 | $68,752 | 22% |
| Killeen, TX | $62,480 | 60 | $68,560 | 25% |
| Bend, OR | $62,400 | 50 | $60,228 | 43% |
| Augusta, GA | $62,350 | 260 | $67,843 | 28% |
| Battle Creek, MI | $62,340 | 40 | $68,853 | 22% |
| Cheyenne, WY | $62,260 | 70 | $64,524 | 29% |
| Cleveland, TN | $62,210 | 60 | $70,629 | 27% |
| Ogden, UT | $62,210 | 70 | $61,994 | 31% |
| Lincoln, NE | $62,200 | 160 | $67,918 | 25% |
| Columbus, GA | $62,180 | 90 | $69,634 | 26% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $62,150 | 680 | $65,167 | 29% |
| Elmira, NY | $62,150 | 40 | $65,838 | 22% |
| St. Louis, MO | $62,150 | 1,220 | $65,361 | 28% |
| Dalton, GA | $62,100 | 40 | $69,120 | 27% |
| Medford, OR | $62,100 | 80 | $61,223 | 36% |
| Pueblo, CO | $61,990 | 100 | $67,555 | 26% |
| Omaha, NE | $61,870 | 510 | $67,315 | 27% |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $61,820 | 70 | $65,479 | 28% |
| Bowling Green, KY | $61,720 | 110 | $68,442 | 24% |
| Louisville, KY | $61,630 | 560 | $66,216 | 26% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $61,600 | 180 | $60,913 | 38% |
| Bismarck, ND | $61,590 | 100 | $67,663 | 25% |
| Paducah, KY | $61,530 | 60 | $71,477 | 22% |
| Toledo, OH | $61,520 | 210 | $67,268 | 25% |
| Johnson City, TN | $61,500 | 100 | $69,944 | 29% |
| Richmond, VA | $61,300 | 710 | $62,642 | 33% |
| Davenport, IA | $61,260 | 170 | $68,770 | 20% |
| Grand Forks, ND | $61,210 | 60 | $70,630 | 22% |
| Rochester, NY | $61,150 | 500 | $63,018 | 30% |
| Rome, GA | $61,110 | 40 | $67,779 | 25% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $61,040 | 160 | $67,039 | 29% |
| Knoxville, TN | $61,030 | 400 | $65,929 | 34% |
| Champaign, IL | $60,970 | 100 | $65,768 | 27% |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $60,970 | 40 | $62,029 | 36% |
| Racine, WI | $60,930 | 60 | $63,495 | 29% |
| Columbia, SC | $60,880 | 260 | $65,000 | 31% |
| St. Cloud, MN | $60,880 | 90 | $69,472 | 24% |
| Wheeling, WV | $60,880 | 40 | $68,929 | 17% |
| Green Bay, WI | $60,840 | 110 | $65,359 | 22% |
| Appleton, WI | $60,800 | 40 | $65,787 | 24% |
| Springfield, OH | $60,750 | 30 | $67,140 | 24% |
| Nashville, TN | $60,680 | 860 | $62,987 | 36% |
| Waterloo, IA | $60,530 | 60 | $69,529 | 20% |
| Portland, ME | $60,440 | 180 | $59,338 | 46% |
| Kansas City, MO | $60,410 | 820 | $65,278 | 30% |
| Flint, MI | $60,320 | 100 | $64,837 | 21% |
| Orlando, FL | $60,290 | 1,280 | $59,447 | 38% |
| Watertown, NY | $60,180 | 50 | $68,628 | 30% |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $60,150 | 30 | $63,388 | 34% |
| Peoria, IL | $60,140 | 160 | $65,921 | 23% |
| Asheville, NC | $59,980 | 110 | $62,152 | 34% |
| Sebring, FL | $59,980 | 50 | $64,864 | 30% |
| Tampa, FL | $59,860 | 1,140 | $59,332 | 40% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $59,840 | 40 | $64,573 | 29% |
| Greenville, SC | $59,840 | 320 | $64,165 | 31% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $59,830 | 390 | $59,410 | 35% |
| Crestview, FL | $59,820 | 150 | $61,650 | 39% |
| Wichita, KS | $59,790 | 330 | $67,221 | 24% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $59,780 | 330 | $58,408 | 37% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $59,770 | 290 | $63,134 | 29% |
| Austin, TX | $59,740 | 210 | $60,918 | 32% |
| Canton, OH | $59,680 | 80 | $66,752 | 23% |
| Kingsport, TN | $59,680 | 180 | $69,037 | 27% |
| Charleston, SC | $59,580 | 80 | $59,012 | 41% |
| Greeley, CO | $59,580 | 210 | $59,475 | 34% |
| Clarksville, TN | $59,400 | 40 | $65,313 | 27% |
| Madison, WI | $59,390 | 160 | $61,046 | 36% |
| Roanoke, VA | $59,390 | 200 | $63,439 | 28% |
| Des Moines, IA | $59,370 | 210 | $64,743 | 26% |
| Slidell, LA | $59,360 | 160 | $64,017 | – |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $59,310 | 230 | $64,069 | 26% |
| Weirton, WV | $59,160 | 30 | $66,454 | 16% |
| Fort Smith, AR | $59,050 | 180 | $68,752 | 22% |
| Michigan City, IN | $58,990 | 30 | $64,342 | 24% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $58,980 | 310 | $64,563 | 32% |
| New Orleans, LA | $58,970 | 610 | $63,685 | 32% |
| Charlotte, NC | $58,950 | 520 | $60,556 | 35% |
| Sioux City, IA | $58,920 | 50 | $68,152 | 26% |
| Eugene, OR | $58,690 | 140 | $57,784 | 36% |
| Rapid City, SD | $58,670 | 70 | $65,803 | 30% |
| Janesville, WI | $58,620 | 80 | $62,559 | 26% |
| Evansville, IN | $58,600 | 70 | $64,024 | 22% |
| Huntington, WV | $58,200 | 170 | $65,821 | 22% |
| Deltona, FL | $58,000 | 230 | $58,369 | 37% |
| Shreveport, LA | $57,910 | 150 | $68,317 | 27% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $57,760 | 480 | $63,626 | 28% |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $57,670 | 60 | $57,483 | 44% |
| Sheboygan, WI | $57,520 | 30 | $61,182 | 28% |
| Muskegon, MI | $57,480 | 40 | $62,128 | 27% |
| Raleigh, NC | $57,410 | 630 | $58,488 | 35% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $57,310 | 90 | $56,810 | 40% |
| Miami, FL | $57,300 | 2,420 | $50,195 | 56% |
| Honolulu, HI | $56,970 | 50 | $51,342 | 64% |
| Kankakee, IL | $56,960 | 40 | $59,091 | 28% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $56,920 | 2,310 | $55,093 | 36% |
| Brownsville, TX | $56,880 | 30 | $66,159 | 32% |
| Memphis, TN | $56,780 | 300 | $61,598 | 29% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $56,680 | 150 | $60,350 | 31% |
| Topeka, KS | $56,600 | 120 | $63,724 | 27% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $56,360 | 640 | $58,895 | 33% |
| Greenville, NC | $56,160 | 40 | $63,528 | 31% |
| Athens, GA | $55,770 | 50 | $59,747 | 38% |
| Hot Springs, AR | $55,670 | 50 | $64,936 | 27% |
| Lafayette, IN | $55,630 | 100 | $59,542 | 32% |
| Terre Haute, IN | $55,440 | 40 | $63,146 | 21% |
| Hickory, NC | $54,520 | 60 | $61,614 | 35% |
| Lawrence, KS | $54,400 | 50 | $60,282 | 34% |
| Beaumont, TX | $53,660 | 80 | $59,592 | 29% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $53,340 | 180 | $53,219 | 52% |
| Greensboro, NC | $53,310 | 100 | $57,406 | 32% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $53,050 | 90 | $57,636 | 35% |
| Jonesboro, AR | $52,950 | 80 | $61,659 | 28% |
| Grand Junction, CO | $52,850 | 80 | $55,354 | 39% |
| Dubuque, IA | $52,490 | 30 | $60,107 | 24% |
| Burlington, NC | $52,460 | 50 | $56,290 | 31% |
| Lake Charles, LA | $52,180 | 140 | $60,779 | 31% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $52,160 | 280 | $52,157 | 43% |
| Jackson, TN | $52,110 | 110 | $60,932 | 32% |
| Tyler, TX | $52,040 | 50 | $56,469 | 30% |
| Little Rock, AR | $51,990 | 270 | $58,178 | 28% |
| Panama City, FL | $51,630 | 120 | $53,065 | 40% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $51,510 | 290 | $56,317 | 35% |
| Blacksburg, VA | $51,390 | 50 | $55,431 | 39% |
| Pensacola, FL | $50,380 | 120 | $51,557 | 41% |
| Manhattan, KS | $50,330 | 40 | $55,822 | 30% |
| Durham, NC | $50,320 | 240 | $51,572 | 39% |
| Lakeland, FL | $49,960 | 390 | $51,430 | 44% |
| Lynchburg, VA | $49,900 | 40 | $55,840 | 31% |
| Monroe, LA | $49,890 | 110 | $59,679 | 28% |
| Iowa City, IA | $49,880 | 50 | $54,508 | 42% |
| Fargo, ND | $49,720 | 150 | $54,715 | 27% |
| Jackson, MS | $49,680 | 320 | $55,790 | 36% |
| Gulfport, MS | $49,580 | 170 | $55,085 | 34% |
| Lewiston, ME | $49,500 | 50 | $52,250 | 39% |
| South Bend, IN | $49,500 | 120 | $53,307 | 30% |
| Elkhart, IN | $49,240 | 30 | $54,514 | 29% |
| Waco, TX | $49,140 | 40 | $53,096 | 35% |
| Pinehurst, NC | $48,980 | 30 | $55,447 | 46% |
| Yuma, AZ | $48,820 | 60 | $52,661 | 35% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $48,490 | 220 | $53,503 | 31% |
| Joplin, MO | $48,340 | 80 | $56,394 | 31% |
| Tucson, AZ | $48,100 | 380 | $49,641 | 37% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $47,860 | 730 | $52,938 | 35% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $47,680 | 110 | $51,838 | 37% |
| Bangor, ME | $47,650 | 50 | $49,374 | 38% |
| Hammond, LA | $47,540 | 70 | $56,287 | 33% |
| Tulsa, OK | $47,500 | 380 | $53,243 | 35% |
| Missoula, MT | $47,410 | 40 | $49,158 | 41% |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | $47,110 | 40 | $50,065 | 39% |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $47,020 | 40 | $53,656 | 33% |
| Springfield, MO | $46,970 | 160 | $53,023 | 32% |
| Lawton, OK | $46,910 | 40 | $54,584 | 29% |
| Enid, OK | $46,810 | 40 | $55,548 | 29% |
| Jefferson City, MO | $46,600 | 40 | $52,970 | 26% |
| Great Falls, MT | $46,230 | 30 | $47,736 | 37% |
| Columbia, MO | $46,180 | 80 | $51,634 | 38% |
What the median kindergarten teacher salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $62,680 |
| Month | $5,223 |
| Every two weeks | $2,411 |
| Week | $1,205 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a kindergarten teacher: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | −0.3% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 11,900 |
| Self-employed | 0.2% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary school teacher | $63,970 | Bachelor's degree |
| Middle school teacher | $64,370 | Bachelor's degree |
| High school teacher | $72,040 | Bachelor's degree |
| Librarian | $68,270 | Master's degree |
| Teacher assistant | $36,780 | Some college |
| Preschool teacher | $38,140 | Associate's degree |
| Substitute teacher | $41,670 | Bachelor's degree |
| Special education teacher | $65,120 | Bachelor's degree |
Questions about kindergarten teacher pay
How much does a kindergarten teacher make an hour?
BLS publishes only yearly pay for kindergarten teachers, because they are usually paid a salary for a school or contract year rather than by the hour. The median is $62,680 a year.
How much does a kindergarten teacher make a month?
About $5,223 a month before taxes at the median salary of $62,680, or $2,411 every two weeks.
What state pays kindergarten teachers the most?
Washington, with a median of $99,960. Connecticut ($90,030), Rhode Island ($85,470), Massachusetts ($84,100) and California ($82,550) follow.
Where do kindergarten teachers make the most after cost of living?
Washington: its median of $99,960 is worth $93,409 at typical US prices. Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Mexico come next.
How much do entry-level kindergarten teachers make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of kindergarten teachers earn under $46,990 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $52,180, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a kindergarten teacher?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 25-2012 (Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.