Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher) Salary

Average Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher) Base Salary in the United States

Average Base Salary

$38,579 Per Year

Salary Range: $23,864 to $62,668

Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher) Salary

$23,864

10%

$29,748

25% 

$ 38,579

AVERAGE

$43,468

75%  

$62,668

90%  

How Much Does a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher) Make Per Year in the United States?

The national average salary for a  Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher) is $38,579 per year in the United States. It can vary depending on the employer and the skills required for that position, but generally, it will be about $38,579 or more annually for a gross salary. Taxes impact salaries, so to get the net salary we’ve crunched the data and gotten the tax information on what the take-home pay would be after the effective income tax rates. 

Technology Used

Microsoft Excel – Spreadsheet software

Google Classroom – Project management software

Schoology – Computer based training software

Flipgrid – Video creation and editing software

Google Meet – Video conferencing software

Edmodo – Desktop communications software

Nearpod – Multi-media educational software

Intrado SchoolMessenger – Mobile messaging service software

Knowledge and Expertise

Education and Training

Public Safety and Security

Customer and Personal Service

Psychology

Administration and Management

Administrative

Soft Skills

Speaking

Instructing

Active Listening

Learning Strategies

Reading Comprehension

Critical Thinking

What is the salary range of a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher)?

Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher) salaries vary depending on the company you work for, your experience level, industry, education, and years of experience. The average annual salary is around $38,579 but a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher) can earn a base salary anywhere from $23,864 to $62,668 per year with some companies paying more than others.

Pay ranges on average for a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher) job title only vary a good amount, which may mean that there are many opportunities to earn more income in the future regardless of the employers or your location, industry, and experience.

A salary range that varies also means there is ability to move up within the company, as there may be as many opportunities for advancement or to change your job title. This opportunity for  advancement can help with can increase their job satisfaction and motivation.

What are the Highest Salaries for a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher)?

The highest Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher) salaries in the top 10% earn more than $62,668 per year. The salary range for the top 75% – 90% is between and $43,468 and $62,668 annually.

This salary data and salary estimates come from our Average Pay’s salary database of carefully collected and detailed information about pay across many industries and categories, along with different types of labor data.

What are the Lowest Salaries for a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher)?

The lowest Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher) salaries are in the bottom 10% of earners who make less than $23,864 per year. The salary range for the lowest 10% – 25% is between $23,864 and $29,748 annually.   

This salary data and salary estimates come from our Average Pay’s salary database of carefully collected and detailed information about pay across many industries and categories, along with different types of labor data.

What is a Good Salary for a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher)?

If we only look at the data for Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher) salaries and we don’t compare it to any other jobs, a good salary for a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher) job would be over $38,579 per year. This is the average salary for this position in the United States. An excellent pay for a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher) would be anything over the top 75%, which is $43,468 annually.

How Can I Increase My Salary as a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher)?

There are a few ways you can increase your average salary for a profession as a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher). One way is to get promoted to a higher level and take on more duties within your employer. Another way is to gain more experience and skills in your career. You can also try negotiating higher compensation next performance review, when you are up for renewal or starting a new contract with a business.

Finally, you can look for a new job at a different employer that pays more. One thing not to overlook is companies often give their employees incentives and benefits outside of salaries. The total compensation, like healthcare, paid vacation days, 401k matches, bonuses, overtime, professional development, a career path in the company, and other benefits, need to be considered, which can add up to a lot more money than just a salary increase.

What are the Top Paying Industries for a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher)?

The top paying industries for a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher) job vary depending on the position’s specific responsibilities, employers, and qualifications. However, some common reported high-paying industries for include the following:

  • Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
  • Social Assistance
  • Child Day Care Services
  • Educational Services
  • Elementary and Secondary Schools
  • Finance and Insurance

Does a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher) Have a Good Quality of Life?

Based on an average 2-bedroom apartment rental price, a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher) would pay 15.63% of their monthly take-home pay towards rent. That’s $1,310 per month or $15,720 yearly for a two-bedroom apartment.

The rent is less than 30% of the monthly take-home pay for an Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher), which can helps lessen a financial burden and impact their quality of life.

This is because a high rent-to-income ratio would leave less money each month for other expenses, such as food, transportation, recreation, and activities. It can lead to financial stress, impacting overall job satisfaction and motivation.

Considering the cost of living in a city when considering whether to accept a job offer is essential. If the cost of living is too high, it might not be worth it, even if the salary is good.

Does a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher) make good money?

 In general, a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher) can make a decent salary but is a little lower than average. The national average salary is $52,632 annually which is more than the average Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher) salary, meaning this might not be a livable wage. According to data and labor statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher) pay is below the median salary.

However, salaries can vary depending on the company you work for, what you are responsible for, education, college degree, work experience, job market, and your experience level. The highest-paid can earn upwards of 62,668 per year, while the lowest-paid income is less than 23,864 annually.

If you want to maximize your earnings as a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher), take on more responsibility, and gain more experience in related skills. Also, build interpersonal skills and strong leadership skills, get a certification in your field and then negotiate for a higher salary next performance review, when you are up for renewal or starting a new contract with a business.

The best thing you can do is develop yourself and gain knowledge. Many courses, additional training, and professional development opportunities in your area can help increase your skills and development in your job or related field.

You can also get your resume reviewed and look for a new employer that will hire and pay more or look for a career change that is hiring and may interest you more.

Salaries are also relative to the cost of living in different parts of the country. For example, the compensation for a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher) will need to be higher if it is in or closer to larger cities like New York City or some states like California. The increase in pay in these areas is because of the higher than average cost of living and more interested applicants for employment versus someone living in a small town. With the cost of housing increasing and medical care premium costs, it is essential to ensure you are getting paid what you are worth.

How do I know I’m being paid fairly as a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher)?

The easiest way is to see how close your current salary is to the average pay for your position in your state and city. If your income is below the estimated average wage in your area, you can try to negotiate for a raise.

You can use our research and tools to discover the average salary for a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher) in your city or region to see if you are being compensated fairly. You may also compare your income to similar jobs and careers to determine whether you are underpaid or overpaid. Lastly, you can set up job alerts to see how the job market trends.

A few other ways you can research whether you’re being paid fairly as a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher) is to do a job search to look at job postings for similar positions and see the estimate for the listed salary range. You can also talk to people in your network who have similar jobs and ask them what they earn. Finally, you can try negotiating a higher pay when you are up for renewal, having a performance evaluation, or starting a new contract.

What Factors Determine the Salary of a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher)?

The money a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher) can make each year greatly depends on a few components that determine an average base salary.

The company you work for is one of the main factors that affect how much a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher) earns.

The compensation will also depend on the location, as some states and cities have a higher cost of living than others. Other factors that affect compensation are the number of hours worked, company size, job type, level of experience in your career, and location.