Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary in Salinas, CA
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in the Salinas, CA metro area earn a median of $47,280 a year ($22.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 600 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,550 for the top 10%. That is 24% higher than the national median of $38,140. Pay here is about the same as the California statewide median of $47,400. There are 3.2 preschool teachers, except special education per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $52,530, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for preschool teachers, except special education in Salinas, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,910 | $18.71 |
| 25th percentile | $44,060 | $21.19 |
| Median | $47,280 | $22.73 |
| 75th percentile | $61,840 | $29.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,550 | $34.40 |
| Average (mean) | $52,530 | $25.25 |
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 | $3,940 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,970 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,818.46 |
| Weekly | $909.23 |
| Hourly | $22.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,280 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Visalia, CA | $56,930 | 430 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $53,810 | 10,280 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $51,190 | 3,570 |
| Modesto, CA | $49,500 | 640 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $48,130 | 630 |
| Merced, CA | $48,120 | 290 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $47,780 | 420 |
| Vallejo, CA | $46,960 | 450 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $46,710 | 620 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $46,600 | 18,430 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $46,470 | 680 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $46,200 | 320 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $46,120 | 1,260 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $46,010 | 3,560 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $45,880 | 890 |
| Napa, CA | $45,660 | 190 |
| Yuba City, CA | $45,240 | 210 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $45,040 | 140 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $44,940 | 5,130 |
| Fresno, CA | $44,740 | 1,800 |
| Redding, CA | $44,580 | 220 |
| El Centro, CA | $44,370 | 140 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $44,250 | 3,070 |
| Chico, CA | $44,080 | 300 |
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 or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salinas, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $100,220 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $101,590 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, All Other | $112,900 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $100,450 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Middle School | $100,840 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $48,030 | — |
| Teachers and Instructors, All Other | $113,360 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $63,970 | $30.76 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other | $64,660 | $31.09 |
| Tutor | $39,800 | $19.14 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $94,850 | $45.60 |
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $76,080 | $36.58 |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $76,960 | $37.00 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Salinas, CA
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 Salinas, CA?
The median salary for preschool teachers, except special education in the Salinas, CA metro area is $47,280 a year, or $22.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid preschool teachers, except special education make in Salinas, CA?
The top 10% of preschool teachers, except special education in the Salinas, CA metro area earn at least $71,550 a year. The top 25% earn $61,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for preschool teachers, except special education in Salinas, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,910 a year, and a quarter of preschool teachers, except special education earn $44,060 or less.
How many preschool teachers, except special education work in Salinas, CA?
About 600 preschool teachers, except special education are employed in the Salinas, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.