Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary in Iowa
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in Iowa earn a median of $33,830 a year ($16.26 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,910 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,390 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $38,140. Iowa ranks 45th of 51 states for preschool teachers, except special education pay. There are 3.8 preschool teachers, except special education per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $35,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for preschool teachers, except special education in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,730 | $13.33 |
| 25th percentile | $29,240 | $14.06 |
| Median | $33,830 | $16.26 |
| 75th percentile | $37,550 | $18.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,390 | $23.27 |
| Average (mean) | $35,760 | $17.19 |
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 | $2,819.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,409.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,301.15 |
| Weekly | $650.58 |
| Hourly | $16.26 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $33,830 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $44,440 | 800 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $37,840 | 140 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $37,200 | 580 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $34,880 | 550 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $33,850 | 1,800 |
| Dubuque, IA | $31,130 | 200 |
| Iowa City, IA | $30,720 | 470 |
| Ames, IA | $30,590 | 290 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $30,420 | 360 |
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 Iowa
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for preschool teachers, except special education in Iowa is $33,830 a year, or $16.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid preschool teachers, except special education make in Iowa?
The top 10% of preschool teachers, except special education in Iowa earn at least $48,390 a year. The top 25% earn $37,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for preschool teachers, except special education in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,730 a year, and a quarter of preschool teachers, except special education earn $29,240 or less.
How many preschool teachers, except special education work in Iowa?
About 5,910 preschool teachers, except special education are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.