How Much Does a Kindergarten Teacher Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$62,680
Kindergarten teachers in the U.S. earn a median of $62,680 a year. Half of kindergarten teachers earn more than $62,680 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $101,830.
Pay percentiles for kindergarten teachers
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
| 10th | $46,990 |
| 25th | $52,180 |
| 50th (median) | $62,680 |
| 75th | $79,910 |
| 90th | $101,830 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education (SOC 25-2012). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
BLS reports only annual wages for kindergarten teachers, because most are paid a yearly salary and often work a school or contract year rather than 2,080 hours. We do not convert these figures to an hourly rate.
Highest-paying states for kindergarten teachers
| State | Median annual | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $99,960 | +59% |
| Connecticut | $90,030 | +44% |
| Rhode Island | $85,470 | +36% |
| Massachusetts | $84,100 | +34% |
| California | $82,550 | +32% |
| District of Columbia | $81,500 | +30% |
| New York | $77,630 | +24% |
| Maryland | $75,910 | +21% |
| Minnesota | $75,500 | +20% |
| New Mexico | $74,380 | +19% |
| United States | $62,680 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many kindergarten teachers are there?
BLS counts about 108,870 kindergarten teachers employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in Florida (8,810), California (7,430) and New York (6,950).
The mean (average) annual wage is $69,370, higher than the median of $62,680.
Frequently asked questions
How much do kindergarten teachers make an hour?
BLS publishes only annual wages for kindergarten teachers, because most are paid a salary and work fewer than 2,080 hours a year. The median annual wage is $62,680.
Which state pays kindergarten teachers the most?
Washington has the highest median wage for kindergarten teachers at $99,960, +59% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for kindergarten teachers?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of kindergarten teachers earn less than $46,990 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.