Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $30,420 a year ($14.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 360 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,440 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $38,140. Pay here is 10% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $33,830. There are 4.2 preschool teachers, except special education per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $34,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for preschool teachers, except special education in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,690 | $13.31 |
| 25th percentile | $28,330 | $13.62 |
| Median | $30,420 | $14.63 |
| 75th percentile | $36,110 | $17.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,440 | $21.85 |
| Average (mean) | $34,380 | $16.53 |
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 | $2,535 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,267.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,170 |
| Weekly | $585 |
| Hourly | $14.63 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $30,420 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 other metro areas nearby
| 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 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $60,780 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $60,440 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $60,460 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $59,500 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $59,760 | — |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $60,530 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $29,900 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $36,440 | $17.52 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $103,680 | — |
| Instructional Coordinator | $81,190 | $39.03 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $35,520 | $17.08 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $100,240 | — |
| Library Technician | $47,670 | $22.92 |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $69,920 | $33.61 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for preschool teachers, except special education in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $30,420 a year, or $14.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid preschool teachers, except special education make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of preschool teachers, except special education in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $45,440 a year. The top 25% earn $36,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for preschool teachers, except special education in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,690 a year, and a quarter of preschool teachers, except special education earn $28,330 or less.
How many preschool teachers, except special education work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 360 preschool teachers, except special education are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.