Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education pay range in San Jose
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $45,460 a year or less, while the top 10% make $72,900 or more. The middle half of preschool teachers (except special education) in San Jose earn between $46,840 and $59,240.
- $45K10th
- $47K25th
- $51KMedian
- $59K75th
- $73K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $55,510 | $4,626 | $26.69 |
| Median | $51,190 | $4,266 | $24.61 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $46,840 | $3,903 | $22.52 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $59,240 | $4,937 | $28.48 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education pay in San Jose vs. California and the U.S.
Preschool teachers (except special education) in San Jose earn 8% more than the California average ($51,190) and 29% more than the U.S. average ($43,030). At the median the gap is +34% against the U.S. median of $38,140.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose | $55,510 | $51,190 | $45,460 | $72,900 | 3,570 |
| California | $51,190 | $47,400 | $37,870 | $65,350 | 55,700 |
| United States | $43,030 | $38,140 | $28,990 | $61,390 | 478,780 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary after taxes in San Jose
On the average salary of $55,510, a single filer in San Jose takes home about $45,259 a year, or $3,772 a month and $1,741 every two weeks. Taxes take 18% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Is San Jose a good place for preschool teachers (except special education)? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the San Jose area are 10% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 110.4), so the average $55,510 buys what about $50,270 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.6 times the median wage of all jobs in San Jose ($84,050). A typical home costs $1,610,466, or 29.0 years of this average salary before tax.
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary in other California cities
San Jose ranks 4th of 25 California metro areas for this job; Visalia pays the most ($56,190).
- Visalia$56,190
- San Francisco$55,850
- Modesto$55,820
- San Jose$55,510
- Merced$53,500
- Salinas$52,530
- Santa Cruz$52,250
- Los Angeles$50,550
- Napa$50,540
- Santa Maria$50,460
All Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salaries in California
Highest-paying cities for preschool teachers (except special education)
Vineland, NJ pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($62,570).
- Vineland, NJ$62,570
- Albany, GA$62,070
- Atlantic City, NJ$58,560
- Brunswick, GA$58,180
- Denver, CO$57,250
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Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary in San Jose: questions
How much do preschool teachers (except special education) make an hour in San Jose?
$26.69 an hour on average, and $24.61 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level preschool teachers (except special education) salary in San Jose?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $45,460 a year and the 25th percentile is $46,840, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the preschool teachers (except special education) take-home pay in San Jose?
About $45,259 a year ($3,772 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $55,510. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do preschool teachers (except special education) earn more in San Jose than elsewhere?
The average here is 29% more than the U.S. average for this job ($43,030).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 25-2011; area San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA (41940). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.5%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.02, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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