SOC 25-2012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education — Illinois
Illinois · 8 metro areas compared
The median wage for Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education in Illinois is $64,020 per year, close to the national median of $62,680 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education in Illinois is $64,020 per year, close to the national median of $62,680 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $53,010 and $81,390. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $46,040 and the ninetieth at $103,420.
Employment stands at 4,660, or 0.8 jobs per thousand held locally. Illinois ranks number 18th out of 50 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Chicago records the highest median at $70,250. Of the 747 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 354th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,040 | −26.5% |
| 25th | $53,010 | −15.4% |
| Median (50th) | $64,020 | +2.1% |
| 75th | $81,390 | +29.9% |
| 90th | $103,420 | +65.0% |
| Mean | $71,160 | +13.5% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Illinois
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago | $70,250 | 3,350 | |
| 2 | Rockford | $65,310 | 100 | |
| 3 | Bloomington | $65,180 | 70 | |
| 4 | Springfield | $64,270 | 120 | |
| 5 | Decatur | $63,530 | 40 | |
| 6 | Champaign | $60,970 | 100 | |
| 7 | Peoria | $60,140 | 160 | |
| 8 | Kankakee | $56,960 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Illinois sit close to the national average, so $64,020 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$64,020as reported by BLSLocal price level
100.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$64,020US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $64,020 a year, 2.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $46,040 to $103,420 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 4,660 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 18th of 50 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Chicago, at $70,250.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education in Illinois?
The median annual wage is $64,020, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $62,680, so pay in Illinois is 2.1% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Illinois earns more than $103,420 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $46,040 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Chicago, at $70,250 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 4,660 jobs in this occupation in Illinois. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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