Salary distribution
Where California preschool teachers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $38,400 and $50,870, with a median of $45,880.
Preschool Teachers in California: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 13 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $54,600. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 3 | $49,920 |
| Level II — qualified | 1 | $42,640 |
| Level III — experienced | 5 | $55,702 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 4 | $67,500 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Preschool Teachers in California. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montessori Community School | Lead Primary Teacher | 2 | $67,500 |
| Divya Seva Inc | Lead Montessori and Pre-School Teacher | 1 | $54,600 |
| ANGIE'S GROUP LLC | Montessori Preschool Lead Teacher | 1 | $60,000 |
| Frontiers Academy | Teacher (TK Mandarin Immersion) | 1 | $49,920 |
| Educare Childrens Center LLC | Montessori Bilingual Preschool Teacher | 1 | $54,040 |
| Au Claire de Lune, Inc. | Transitional Kindergarten Teacher | 1 | $38,527 |
| Fallowfield Montessori Schools LLC | Junior Preschool Teacher | 1 | $49,920 |
| PINOCCHIO CHILD CARE CENTER INC | LEAD TEACHER | 1 | $52,000 |
| Pine United Methodist Church | Lead Teacher | 1 | $55,702 |
| LPJKids, LLC | Lead Teacher | 1 | $76,960 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Lead Montessori and Pre-School Teacher at Divya Seva Inc$54,600San DiegoWage Level IVDecided Aug 21, 2025I-200-25226-243357
- Montessori Preschool Lead Teacher at ANGIE'S GROUP LLC$60,000IRVINEWage Level IIIDecided Jul 14, 2025I-200-25188-157198
- Teacher (TK Mandarin Immersion) at Frontiers Academy$49,920Costa MesaWage Level IIIDecided Jun 9, 2025I-200-25153-040675
- Montessori Bilingual Preschool Teacher at Educare Childrens Center LLC$54,040Corte MaderaWage Level IDecided Jun 5, 2025I-200-25149-029727
- Transitional Kindergarten Teacher at Au Claire de Lune, Inc.$38,527San DiegoWage Level IDecided Jun 3, 2025I-200-25148-022567
- Junior Preschool Teacher at Fallowfield Montessori Schools LLC$49,920IrvineWage Level IDecided May 29, 2025I-200-25142-005279
- LEAD TEACHER at PINOCCHIO CHILD CARE CENTER INC$52,000LOS ANGELESWage Level IIIDecided May 23, 2025I-200-25138-988824
- Lead Teacher at Pine United Methodist Church$55,702San FranciscoWage Level IIIDecided May 21, 2025I-200-25134-977511
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Preschool Teachers pay by experience level in California
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Preschool Teachers in California, by industry
Median offered wage across 13 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Education leads with a median of $54,320.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | Montessori Community School | 8 | $54,320 |
| Healthcare | ANGIE'S GROUP LLC | 5 | $55,702 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in California over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Associate's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.0 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Instructing
Technical
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Speech Clarity
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Education and Training
Knowledge
- 3.9 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 3.9 / 5
Learning Strategies
Cross-functional
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Teach basic skills, such as color, shape, number and letter recognition, personal hygiene, and social skills.
- 02
Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- 03
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order.
- 04
Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate, and use, both in learning activities and in imaginative play.
- 05
Serve meals and snacks in accordance with nutritional guidelines.
- 06
Attend to children's basic needs by feeding them, dressing them, and changing their diapers.
- 07
Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and needs, determine their priorities for their children, and suggest ways that they can promote learning and development.
- 08
Organize and lead activities designed to promote physical, mental, and social development, such as games, arts and crafts, music, storytelling, and field trips.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.1%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in California
Metro-level salary data for preschool teachers in major California metropolitan areas.
- San Francisco$49,190
- San Jose$48,220
- San Diego$45,370
- Los Angeles$44,610
- Riverside$43,720
- Sacramento$42,250
Compare Preschool Teachers pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Preschool Teachers in California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Preschool Teachers in California is $45,880.
- How does California compare to the national median for Preschool Teachers?
- The California median is +20.2% versus the BLS national figure of $38,168.
- What is the salary range for Preschool Teachers in California?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $36,860 and the 90th-percentile at $60,890, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Preschool Teachers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.1% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Preschool Teachers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Associate's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.