Preschool Teacher salary
From 153 certified H-1B filings (FY2025–FY2026). Base salary only.
- Occupation code 25-2011: Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
At a glance
- Mostly Level I (entry-level). 38% of Preschool Teacher filings are Level I, compared with 19% across all H-1B filings.
- Top filer: Three Affiliated Tribes Head Start. 14 filings (9% of the total), median $50,400.
- Median up 44% since FY2020. From $39,520 in FY2020 to $56,992 in FY2026 (Q1–Q3). Nominal, not adjusted for inflation.
Preschool Teacher H-1B salary overview
Employers filed 153 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Preschool Teacher jobs in FY2025–FY2026 (occupation code 25-2011, Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education). The median base salary is $51,480, 58% below the median for all H-1B filings ($122,699), and half of the filings fall between $44,944 and $61,714. The most common wage level is Level I (entry-level), at 38% of filings. New York, NY has the most filings (39), and Three Affiliated Tribes Head Start is the employer that files the most (14).
Is your Preschool Teacher offer competitive?
Enter the base salary in your offer. We compare it with certified H-1B filings for Preschool Teacher jobs, nationally or in one metro area.
Enter a salary to see where it falls.
Percentiles from certified H-1B filings, base salary only. Metro areas with at least 10 filings.
Top employers for Preschool Teacher
Employers with the most Preschool Teacher filings. Bar: share of all Preschool Teacher filings. Figure: median base salary.
Pay by level
Entry-level · 38% of filings
Mid-level · 13% of filings
Senior · 22% of filings
Expert · 27% of filings
Level medians mix different jobs, so a higher level can show a lower median. Within one job, pay rises with level.
Show the table
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Level I · Entry | $50,400 | 54 |
| Level II · Qualified | $44,928 | 19 |
| Level III · Experienced | $55,100 | 32 |
| Level IV · Fully competent | $58,573 | 38 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Preschool Teacher pay by city
Median base salary in each metro area. Rent: HUD Fair Market Rent, FY2027.
Show all 3 metro areas
| Metro area | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $55,000 | 39 |
| Washington, DC | $61,714 | 16 |
| Boston, MA | $60,840 | 11 |
Metro areas with at least 10 filings for this occupation.
What a Preschool Teacher does
Instruct preschool-aged students, following curricula or lesson plans, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth.
Typical tasks
- Teach basic skills, such as color, shape, number and letter recognition, personal hygiene, and social skills.
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order.
- Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate, and use, both in learning activities and in imaginative play.
- Serve meals and snacks in accordance with nutritional guidelines.
- Attend to children's basic needs by feeding them, dressing them, and changing their diapers.
Preparation
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
O*NET occupation: Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education (25-2011.00). This section includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
H-1B pay vs. all U.S. workers
Across all U.S. workers in this occupation (Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education), the median annual wage was $38,140 in May 2025, with 478,780 people employed. The median H-1B base salary in FY2025–FY2026 is $51,480, 35% higher.
| H-1B filings | All U.S. workers (BLS, May 2025) | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,440 | $28,990 |
| 25th percentile | $44,944 | $34,530 |
| Median | $51,480 | $38,140 |
| 75th percentile | $61,714 | $47,550 |
| 90th percentile | $68,785 | $61,390 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). BLS wages cover all wage and salary workers and include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are the base salary offered on certified LCAs. The two sources cover different periods. BLS reports wages of $239,200 or more as a single top value.
Salary details
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $37,440 |
| 25th | $44,944 |
| 50th (median) | $51,480 |
| 75th | $61,714 |
| 90th | $68,785 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $39,520 | $36,500 | $43,358 | 39 |
| FY2021 | $39,978 | $35,334 | $48,415 | 42 |
| FY2022 | $43,857 | $39,780 | $50,000 | 54 |
| FY2023 | $45,000 | $41,600 | $53,518 | 61 |
| FY2024 | $54,973 | $49,053 | $65,130 | 96 |
| FY2025 | $50,400 | $43,410 | $59,322 | 97 |
| FY2026 | $56,992 | $46,000 | $63,250 | 56 |
Questions
How much does an H-1B Preschool Teacher make?
The median base salary in certified H-1B filings for Preschool Teacher jobs is $51,480 (153 filings, FY2025–FY2026). Half of the filings are between $44,944 and $61,714.
What does an entry-level Preschool Teacher earn on an H-1B?
Level I (entry-level) filings have a median of $50,400. Level I accounts for 38% of Preschool Teacher filings.
Do H-1B Preschool Teachers earn more than other U.S. workers in the same job?
The H-1B median base salary ($51,480) is 35% higher than the median wage of all U.S. workers in this occupation ($38,140, BLS May 2025). The sources measure pay differently, so treat this as a rough comparison.