Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $45,250 +21.9% vs national
Median hourly $21.75
10th percentile $38,080
90th percentile $61,450
Employed locally 370
National median $37,120

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Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
in
Santa Cruz, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,080
    25th
    $38,640
    50th (median)
    $45,250
    75th
    $50,970
    90th
    $61,450

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary vs area income 41% Median Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary is 59% 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 Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$45,820
    Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$80,630
    Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$82,170
    Self-Enrichment Teachers$50,710
    Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$60,060
    Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$77,060

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in Santa Cruz, CA is $21.75, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $35.27 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salaries?

    The median Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 21.9% 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education (10th percentile) earn around $38,080 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,640.