Special Education Teachers, Preschool salary in California
Special Education Teachers, Preschool in California earn a median of $59,550 a year, based on BLS data for 2,510 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,700 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $64,830. California ranks 31st of 45 states for special education teachers, preschool pay. There are 0.14 special education teachers, preschool per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $69,930, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for special education teachers, preschool in California
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,050 |
| 25th percentile | $48,400 |
| Median | $59,550 |
| 75th percentile | $83,370 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $117,700 |
| Average (mean) | $69,930 |
Half of special education teachers, preschool 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 | $4,962.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,481.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,290.38 |
| Weekly | $1,145.19 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because special education teachers, preschool are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,550 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Special Education Teachers, Preschool salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $117,200 | 240 |
| Fresno, CA | $93,800 | 120 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $82,280 | n/a |
| Vallejo, CA | $75,140 | 50 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $72,390 | n/a |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $62,080 | n/a |
Highest-paying states for special education teachers, preschool
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $99,070 |
| New Jersey | $92,060 |
| Connecticut | $87,960 |
| Washington | $86,580 |
| Maryland | $85,010 |
| Pennsylvania | $83,510 |
| Alaska | $80,390 |
| Vermont | $79,000 |
| Colorado | $78,040 |
| Virginia | $77,570 |
See Special Education Teachers, Preschool pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $99,650 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $101,370 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $47,400 | $22.79 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $98,950 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $97,170 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $101,060 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, All Other | $103,050 | — |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $82,550 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Middle School | $101,530 | — |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School | $80,620 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $46,490 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $60,300 | $28.99 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $49,570 | $23.83 |
| Tutor | $45,100 | $21.69 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-2051. 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 special education teachers, preschool make in California?
The median salary for special education teachers, preschool in California is $59,550 a year. Pay ranges from $38,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special education teachers, preschool make in California?
The top 10% of special education teachers, preschool in California earn at least $117,700 a year. The top 25% earn $83,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for special education teachers, preschool in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,050 a year, and a quarter of special education teachers, preschool earn $48,400 or less.
How many special education teachers, preschool work in California?
About 2,510 special education teachers, preschool are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.