Preschool Teacher Salary in Chicago, IL
Updated
The median preschool teacher in the Chicago area earns $43,050 a year, 13% above the U.S. median ($38,140) and 5% above the Illinois median ($40,910). Half of the 17,180 preschool teachers there earn between $37,750 and $47,250.
Median $43,050
10th: $36,65090th: $61,120
| Annual pay | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,650 | $36,030 | $28,990 |
| 25th percentile | $37,750 | $37,750 | $34,530 |
| Median | $43,050 | $40,910 | $38,140 |
| 75th percentile | $47,250 | $46,790 | $47,550 |
| 90th percentile | $61,120 | $60,890 | $61,390 |
| Average | $45,740 | $45,150 | $43,030 |
| Jobs | 17,180 | 22,420 | 478,780 |
Chicago, IL ranks 15th of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas for preschool teacher pay. Highest: San Francisco, CA ($53,810).
Paid less than $43,050? That gap, with its source, is the strongest line in a raise request. Check your pay for your level in 30 seconds. Free, no sign-up.
Check my payPreschool teacher pay in other cities
- San Francisco, CA: $53,810
- San Jose, CA: $51,190
- New York, NY: $50,230
- Los Angeles, CA: $46,600
- Seattle, WA: $46,380
- Boston, MA: $46,030
- Riverside, CA: $46,010
- Denver, CO: $45,680
- All cities
Similar jobs in Chicago, IL
- Elementary School Teacher: $78,390
- High School Teacher: $98,970
- Middle School Teacher: $78,000
- Teaching Assistant: $37,840
- Substitute Teacher: $43,460
- All jobs in Chicago, IL
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, published May 15, 2026
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, www.bls.gov/oes. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov.