SOC 25-2051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Special Education Teachers, Preschool — California
California · 6 metro areas compared
In California the median wage is $59,550.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In California the median wage is $59,550. That is 8.1% lower than the national median of $64,830. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $48,400 and $83,370. The lowest tenth earn under $38,050, while the highest tenth earn more than $117,700.
Employment stands at 2,510, or 0.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Among the 45 states with published data for this occupation, California ranks 31st by median wage. San Diego leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $117,200. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 492nd of 793 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,050 | −41.3% |
| 25th | $48,400 | −25.3% |
| Median (50th) | $59,550 | −8.1% |
| 75th | $83,370 | +28.6% |
| 90th | $117,700 | +81.6% |
| Mean | $69,930 | +7.9% |
Highest-paying metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Diego | $117,200 | 240 | |
| 2 | Fresno | $93,800 | 120 | |
| 3 | San Francisco | $82,280 | — | |
| 4 | Vallejo | $75,140 | 50 | |
| 5 | Sacramento | $72,390 | — | |
| 6 | Bakersfield | $62,080 | — |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in California run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $59,550 buys what $53,794 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 17.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$59,550as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$53,794US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $59,550 a year, 8.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,050 to $117,700 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,510 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 31st of 45 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Diego, at $117,200.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Special Education Teachers, Preschool in California?
The median annual wage is $59,550, 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 $64,830, so pay in California is 8.1% lower. 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 California earns more than $117,700 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,050 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 San Diego, at $117,200 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,510 jobs in this occupation in California. 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.
Explore related data