Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education salary in California
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education in California earn a median of $82,550 a year, based on BLS data for 7,430 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,400 for the top 10%. That is 32% higher than the national median of $62,680. California ranks 5th of 50 states for kindergarten teachers, except special education pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.41 kindergarten teachers, except special education per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.58). The average (mean) salary is $88,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for kindergarten teachers, except special education in California
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,210 |
| 25th percentile | $64,100 |
| Median | $82,550 |
| 75th percentile | $107,340 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,400 |
| Average (mean) | $88,160 |
Half of kindergarten teachers, except special education earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,879.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,439.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,175 |
| Weekly | $1,587.50 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because kindergarten teachers, except special education are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $82,550 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| El Centro, CA | $111,880 | 50 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $106,000 | 740 |
| Modesto, CA | $103,790 | 160 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $102,450 | 290 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $101,780 | 130 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $96,980 | 60 |
| Yuba City, CA | $96,570 | 60 |
| Merced, CA | $96,430 | 140 |
| Visalia, CA | $96,380 | 240 |
| Napa, CA | $94,500 | 50 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $92,910 | 130 |
| Vallejo, CA | $91,640 | 100 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $84,620 | 430 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $82,550 | 750 |
| Chico, CA | $82,170 | 70 |
| Redding, CA | $80,550 | 60 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $78,400 | 1,570 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $78,330 | 440 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $77,370 | 210 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $77,290 | 60 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $74,600 | 640 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $71,690 | 470 |
Highest-paying states for kindergarten teachers, except special education
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $99,960 |
| Connecticut | $90,030 |
| Rhode Island | $85,470 |
| Massachusetts | $84,100 |
| California | $82,550 |
| District of Columbia | $81,500 |
| New York | $77,630 |
| Maryland | $75,910 |
| Minnesota | $75,500 |
| New Mexico | $74,380 |
See Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $99,650 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $101,370 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $47,400 | $22.79 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $98,950 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $97,170 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $101,060 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, All Other | $103,050 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Middle School | $101,530 | — |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School | $80,620 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Preschool | $59,550 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $46,490 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $60,300 | $28.99 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $49,570 | $23.83 |
| Tutor | $45,100 | $21.69 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-2012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a kindergarten teachers, except special education make in California?
The median salary for kindergarten teachers, except special education in California is $82,550 a year. Pay ranges from $53,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid kindergarten teachers, except special education make in California?
The top 10% of kindergarten teachers, except special education in California earn at least $124,400 a year. The top 25% earn $107,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for kindergarten teachers, except special education in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,210 a year, and a quarter of kindergarten teachers, except special education earn $64,100 or less.
How many kindergarten teachers, except special education work in California?
About 7,430 kindergarten teachers, except special education are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.