Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $45,370 +22.2% vs national
Median hourly $21.81
10th percentile $37,160
90th percentile $58,510
Employed locally 4,320
National median $37,120

Compare Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary & buying power

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Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
in
San Diego, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,160
    25th
    $37,910
    50th (median)
    $45,370
    75th
    $48,690
    90th
    $58,510

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary vs area income 44% Median Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary is 56% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area $61,180
    Northwest Nebraska nonmetropolitan area $60,480
    Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ $59,110
    Vineland, NJ $58,830
    South Nebraska nonmetropolitan area $58,520
    Alaska nonmetropolitan area $55,060

    Nearby metros — Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX $54,780
    Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA $49,860
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $49,190
    Modesto, CA $48,630
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $48,220
    Napa, CA $46,850

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education $78,430
    Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary $43,010
    Substitute Teachers, Short-Term $55,740
    Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education $99,740
    Self-Enrichment Teachers $46,520
    Postsecondary Teachers, All Other $108,510

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in San Diego, CA is $21.81, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $29.05 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salaries?

    The median Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary in San Diego, CA is 22.2% above the national median of $37,120. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in San Diego?

    Entry-level Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education (10th percentile) earn around $37,160 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,910.