How Much Does a Preschool and Childcare Teacher Make in the United States in 2026? (Hourly & After-Tax Salary)
Median Annual & Hourly Wage in the United States
$37,860/yr ($18.20/hr · $32,459 After-Tax)
Entry-Level (25th Pct)$29,540 ($14.20/hr)
Experienced (90th Pct)$51,110 ($24.57/hr)
Bi-Weekly Net Paycheck$1,248.42
Overtime Rate (1.5x)$27.30/hr
Gross vs. Net After-Tax Pay by Experience Level (2026)
| Level | Hourly | Gross Annual | Federal + FICA + State Tax | Net Take-Home | Bi-Weekly Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $14.20/hr | $29,540 | −$3,766.11 | $25,773.89 | $991.30 |
| Median (Mid-Career) | $18.20/hr | $37,860 | −$5,400.99 | $32,459.01 | $1,248.42 |
| Senior / Top 10% | $24.57/hr | $51,110 | −$8,004.62 | $43,105.38 | $1,657.90 |
Compare Wage Across All 50 U.S. States
Texas ($17.84/hr)California ($21.48/hr)Florida ($17.29/hr)New York ($21.11/hr)Illinois ($18.75/hr)Arizona ($17.65/hr)New Jersey ($20.38/hr)Georgia ($17.47/hr)North Carolina ($17.29/hr)Washington ($20.93/hr)Pennsylvania ($18.02/hr)Ohio ($17.11/hr)Nevada ($17.84/hr)Colorado ($19.29/hr)Virginia ($19.11/hr)Massachusetts ($21.29/hr)Michigan ($17.47/hr)Tennessee ($16.74/hr)Indiana ($16.93/hr)Maryland ($19.66/hr)Minnesota ($18.93/hr)Missouri ($16.74/hr)Wisconsin ($17.65/hr)Oregon ($19.11/hr)Connecticut ($20.20/hr)Utah ($17.65/hr)South Carolina ($16.56/hr)Alabama ($16.02/hr)Louisiana ($16.20/hr)Kentucky ($16.20/hr)Oklahoma ($16.20/hr)Kansas ($16.74/hr)Iowa ($16.93/hr)New Mexico ($16.74/hr)Arkansas ($15.83/hr)Mississippi ($15.47/hr)Nebraska ($17.11/hr)Idaho ($16.93/hr)Hawaii ($19.66/hr)New Hampshire ($18.75/hr)Maine ($17.29/hr)Rhode Island ($18.56/hr)Montana ($16.74/hr)Delaware ($18.38/hr)South Dakota ($16.56/hr)North Dakota ($17.29/hr)Alaska ($19.84/hr)Vermont ($17.84/hr)West Virginia ($15.65/hr)Wyoming ($17.29/hr)