Jetted FoxCareers · Kids, teaching & libraries
Preschool teachers
Teach and care for children aged 3 to 5 in a preschool or childcare center. No college degree needed.
Start now · paid while you train
Starting pay ranges from about $11.15/hr in Alabama to $21.87/hr in Washington, DC.
Pay in every state
| State | Start | 2 years |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $10.17–11.15/hr | $13.61/hr |
| Alaska | $16.87–16.93/hr | $22.18/hr |
| Arizona | $15.27–16.91/hr | $17.45/hr |
| Arkansas | $13.07–13.69/hr | $16.44/hr |
| California | $18.21–21.11/hr | $22.79/hr |
| Colorado | $17.22–18.36/hr | $21.87/hr |
| Connecticut | $17.05–18.03/hr | $21.99/hr |
| Delaware | $15–16.72/hr | $17.48/hr |
| Florida | $14.21–14.68/hr | $17.24/hr |
| Georgia | $13.53–16.99/hr | $21.12/hr |
| Hawaii | $17.87–19.85/hr | $23.45/hr |
| Idaho | $12.74–14.42/hr | $15.77/hr |
| Illinois | $17.32–18.15/hr | $19.67/hr |
| Indiana | $13.81–14.67/hr | $17.62/hr |
| Iowa | $13.33–14.06/hr | $16.26/hr |
| Kansas | $13.39–18/hr | $22.96/hr |
| Kentucky | $11.30–13.38/hr | $14.32/hr |
| Louisiana | $11.39–14.27/hr | $18.28/hr |
| Maine | $17.39–18.06/hr | $21.10/hr |
| Maryland | $17.19–17.67/hr | $21.44/hr |
| Massachusetts | $17.25–18.19/hr | $22.06/hr |
| Michigan | $14.57–16.66/hr | $17.84/hr |
| Minnesota | $17.34–18.06/hr | $20.88/hr |
| Mississippi | $10.09–11.21/hr | $17.43/hr |
| Missouri | $13.96–14.63/hr | $17.35/hr |
| Montana | $13.64–15.13/hr | $17.57/hr |
| Nebraska | $15.20–18.31/hr | $22.62/hr |
| Nevada | $14.47–15.77/hr | $18.69/hr |
| New Hampshire | $16.67–17.48/hr | $18.92/hr |
| New Jersey | $17.80–18.77/hr | $23.19/hr |
| New Mexico | $15.52–17.90/hr | $21.19/hr |
| New York | $17.33–18.56/hr | $22.37/hr |
| North Carolina | $13.80–14.76/hr | $17.17/hr |
| North Dakota | $12.50–14.74/hr | $19.10/hr |
| Ohio | $13.11–14.20/hr | $16.91/hr |
| Oklahoma | $11.11–13.71/hr | $15.29/hr |
| Oregon | $17.16–18.59/hr | $21.70/hr |
| Pennsylvania | $14.23–15/hr | $17.33/hr |
| Rhode Island | $15–17.26/hr | $17.71/hr |
| South Carolina | $12.90–14.08/hr | $16.59/hr |
| South Dakota | $14.89–16.74/hr | $21.39/hr |
| Tennessee | $13.06–14.08/hr | $16.48/hr |
| Texas | $12.71–13.66/hr | $16.28/hr |
| Utah | $13.83–14.32/hr | $16.83/hr |
| Vermont | $17.62–21.35/hr | $23.91/hr |
| Virginia | $14.56–16.66/hr | $17.86/hr |
| Washington | $18.31–20.58/hr | $21.95/hr |
| Washington, DC | $19.35–21.87/hr | $29.88/hr |
| West Virginia | $11.31–13/hr | $15.62/hr |
| Wisconsin | $13.72–14.52/hr | $17.39/hr |
| Wyoming | $11.35–13.39/hr | $14.39/hr |
Estimates, May 2025. Start = what the lowest-paid 10–25% earn; 2 years = the median. US Bureau of Labor Statistics
What it takes
Before you're hired
Once you're hired
State early childhood staff credential or registry listing: required in some states. It lets you serve as lead teacher in a licensed child care center. Rules differ by state; check your state's licensing board.
Other way in: Associate degree first.
A normal day
You lead a classroom of young children through songs, stories, play and early learning. You handle meals, naps, potty breaks and messes, and talk with parents. Days are loud and busy.
The good parts
You see kids learn to read, count and share. Preschools and Head Start programs hire everywhere. Daytime hours, with most evenings and weekends free.
The hard parts
Pay is low for the training required. Loud, messy rooms, and kids pass on every illness. Many states and programs require a CDA or associate degree.
Where it leads
preschool teachers move to lead teacher, center director or own a childcare business.
Quick answers
Do preschool teachers need a college degree?
No. You can start now: paid while you train.
How long is the training for preschool teachers?
1–2 years for a child care certificate or an associate degree.
How much do preschool teachers make?
About $13.94–16.60 an hour to start and $18.34 an hour at the median across the US (May 2025).
Is it a fit for you?
Answer a few questions and see your paths. Free, about 7 minutes.
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Teaching assistants · Childcare workers
Last updated October 13, 2026. Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Jobs: BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Training, costs and requirements: Jetted Fox research (estimates). This site 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. Jetted Fox has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Facts, not advice.