Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary in Missouri
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in Missouri earn a median of $36,090 a year ($17.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,580 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,610 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $38,140. Missouri ranks 35th of 51 states for preschool teachers, except special education pay. There are 1.9 preschool teachers, except special education per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.62). The average (mean) salary is $39,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for preschool teachers, except special education in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,030 | $13.96 |
| 25th percentile | $30,440 | $14.63 |
| Median | $36,090 | $17.35 |
| 75th percentile | $44,030 | $21.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,610 | $26.26 |
| Average (mean) | $39,030 | $18.76 |
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 | $3,007.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,503.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,388.08 |
| Weekly | $694.04 |
| Hourly | $17.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,090 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary in cities in Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $37,400 | 1,190 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $37,020 | 3,680 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $35,150 | 90 |
| Columbia, MO | $33,990 | 400 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $33,190 | 160 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $31,330 | 180 |
| Springfield, MO | $30,410 | 330 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $29,830 | 120 |
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 Missouri
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
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 Missouri?
The median salary for preschool teachers, except special education in Missouri is $36,090 a year, or $17.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid preschool teachers, except special education make in Missouri?
The top 10% of preschool teachers, except special education in Missouri earn at least $54,610 a year. The top 25% earn $44,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for preschool teachers, except special education in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,030 a year, and a quarter of preschool teachers, except special education earn $30,440 or less.
How many preschool teachers, except special education work in Missouri?
About 5,580 preschool teachers, except special education are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.