Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary in Illinois
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in Illinois earn a median of $40,910 a year ($19.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 22,420 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,890 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $38,140. Illinois ranks 21st of 51 states for preschool teachers, except special education pay. There are 3.7 preschool teachers, except special education per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $45,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for preschool teachers, except special education in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,030 | $17.32 |
| 25th percentile | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Median | $40,910 | $19.67 |
| 75th percentile | $46,790 | $22.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,890 | $29.28 |
| Average (mean) | $45,150 | $21.71 |
Half of preschool 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 | $3,409.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,704.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,573.46 |
| Weekly | $786.73 |
| Hourly | $19.67 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $40,910 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Rockford, IL | $46,730 | 380 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $43,050 | 17,180 |
| Decatur, IL | $42,740 | 130 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $39,510 | 630 |
| Springfield, IL | $38,300 | 450 |
| Kankakee, IL | $38,030 | 190 |
| Peoria, IL | $37,850 | 590 |
| Bloomington, IL | $37,720 | 310 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $37,200 | 580 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $37,020 | 3,680 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $29,830 | 120 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $28,010 | 240 |
Highest-paying states for preschool teachers, except special education
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $62,150 |
| Vermont | $49,730 |
| Hawaii | $48,780 |
| New Jersey | $48,220 |
| Kansas | $47,750 |
| California | $47,400 |
| Nebraska | $47,040 |
| New York | $46,520 |
| Alaska | $46,130 |
| Massachusetts | $45,890 |
See Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education pay in every state.
Related jobs in Illinois
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-2011. 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 preschool teachers, except special education make in Illinois?
The median salary for preschool teachers, except special education in Illinois is $40,910 a year, or $19.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid preschool teachers, except special education make in Illinois?
The top 10% of preschool teachers, except special education in Illinois earn at least $60,890 a year. The top 25% earn $46,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for preschool teachers, except special education in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,030 a year, and a quarter of preschool teachers, except special education earn $37,750 or less.
How many preschool teachers, except special education work in Illinois?
About 22,420 preschool teachers, except special education are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.