Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education pay range in Chicago
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $36,650 a year or less, while the top 10% make $61,120 or more. The middle half of preschool teachers (except special education) in Chicago earn between $37,750 and $47,250.
- $37K10th
- $38K25th
- $43KMedian
- $47K75th
- $61K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $45,740 | $3,812 | $21.99 |
| Median | $43,050 | $3,588 | $20.70 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $37,750 | $3,146 | $18.15 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $47,250 | $3,938 | $22.72 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education pay in Chicago vs. Illinois and the U.S.
Preschool teachers (except special education) in Chicago earn about the same as the Illinois average ($45,150) and 6% more than the U.S. average ($43,030). At the median the gap is +13% against the U.S. median of $38,140.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $45,740 | $43,050 | $36,650 | $61,120 | 17,180 |
| Illinois | $45,150 | $40,910 | $36,030 | $60,890 | 22,420 |
| United States | $43,030 | $38,140 | $28,990 | $61,390 | 478,780 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary after taxes in Chicago
On the average salary of $45,740, a single filer in Chicago takes home about $36,809 a year, or $3,067 a month and $1,416 every two weeks. Taxes take 20% of gross pay.
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in IN | $37,590 | $3,132 |
| Working in IL | $36,809 | $3,067 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).
Is Chicago a good place for preschool teachers (except special education)? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Chicago area are 4% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 103.6), so the average $45,740 buys what about $44,153 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Chicago ($54,720). A typical home costs $353,998, or 7.7 years of this average salary before tax.
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary in other Illinois cities
Chicago ranks 2nd of 8 Illinois metro areas for this job; Rockford pays the most ($50,870).
- Rockford$50,870
- Chicago$45,740
- Champaign$44,570
- Decatur$44,280
- Kankakee$43,210
- Springfield$42,090
- Peoria$40,520
- Bloomington$40,490
All Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salaries in Illinois
Highest-paying cities for preschool teachers (except special education)
Vineland, NJ pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($62,570).
- Vineland, NJ$62,570
- Albany, GA$62,070
- Atlantic City, NJ$58,560
- Brunswick, GA$58,180
- Denver, CO$57,250
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Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary in Chicago: questions
How much do preschool teachers (except special education) make an hour in Chicago?
$21.99 an hour on average, and $20.70 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level preschool teachers (except special education) salary in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $36,650 a year and the 25th percentile is $37,750, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the preschool teachers (except special education) take-home pay in Chicago?
About $36,809 a year ($3,067 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $45,740.
Do preschool teachers (except special education) earn more in Chicago than elsewhere?
The average here is 6% more than the U.S. average for this job ($43,030).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 25-2011; area Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN (16980). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.5%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.24, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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