SOC 25-2011 · Santa Fe, NM metro

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education Salary in Santa Fe, NM

The average salary for preschool teachers (except special education) in Santa Fe, New Mexico is $50,860 a year ($24.45 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $46,400: half of the 100 people in this job in the Santa Fe, NM metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 18% more than the U.S. average for this job ($43,030).

$50,860average per year

$24.45 / hourMedian $46,400Take-home ≈ $41,821

  • $38K10th
  • $41K25th
  • $46KMedian
  • $60K75th
  • $67K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

100people in this job
+18%vs U.S. average
#1 of 4New Mexico metros
99cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education pay range in Santa Fe

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $37,690 a year or less, while the top 10% make $66,960 or more. The middle half of preschool teachers (except special education) in Santa Fe earn between $41,210 and $60,440.

  • $38K10th
  • $41K25th
  • $46KMedian
  • $60K75th
  • $67K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$50,860$4,238$24.45
Median$46,400$3,867$22.31
Entry level (25th percentile)$41,210$3,434$19.81
Experienced (75th percentile)$60,440$5,037$29.06

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education pay in Santa Fe vs. New Mexico and the U.S.

Preschool teachers (except special education) in Santa Fe earn about the same as the New Mexico average ($50,510) and 18% more than the U.S. average ($43,030). At the median the gap is +22% against the U.S. median of $38,140.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Santa Fe$50,860$46,400$37,690$66,960100
New Mexico$50,510$44,070$32,270$79,5602,490
United States$43,030$38,140$28,990$61,390478,780

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 Santa Fe

On the average salary of $50,860, a single filer in Santa Fe takes home about $41,821 a year, or $3,485 a month and $1,609 every two weeks. Taxes take 18% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).

New Mexico paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Santa Fe a good place for preschool teachers (except special education)? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Santa Fe area are in line with the U.S. average (BEA price parity 98.8), so the average $50,860 buys what about $51,495 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.0 times the median wage of all jobs in Santa Fe ($48,710). A typical home costs $558,896, or 11.0 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $50,860 is worth in another city

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary in other New Mexico cities

Santa Fe ranks 1st of 4 New Mexico metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.

All Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salaries in New Mexico

Highest-paying cities for preschool teachers (except special education)

Vineland, NJ pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($62,570).

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary by city

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Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary in Santa Fe: questions

How much do preschool teachers (except special education) make an hour in Santa Fe?

$24.45 an hour on average, and $22.31 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level preschool teachers (except special education) salary in Santa Fe?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $37,690 a year and the 25th percentile is $41,210, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the preschool teachers (except special education) take-home pay in Santa Fe?

About $41,821 a year ($3,485 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $50,860.

Do preschool teachers (except special education) earn more in Santa Fe than elsewhere?

The average here is 18% 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 Santa Fe, NM (42140). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 6.3%.
  • 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 (2026 rules).
  • Job concentration: location quotient 0.55, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.55).

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