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Occupation · SOC 25-2011

Preschool Teachers, except Special Education

There are 478,780 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $38,140 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

Education & LibraryTypical education: Associate's degree
478,780
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$38,140
Median pay a year
Middle half: $34,530–$47,550
66,700
Annual openings
10-year change: +4.5%
99
LCA filings, last 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 381 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $50,230 · LCA filings 1728,140$50,23017
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $46,600 · LCA filings 518,430$46,6005
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $43,050 · LCA filings 417,180$43,0504
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $36,750 · LCA filings 015,260$36,7500
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $46,030 · LCA filings 414,500$46,0304
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $44,660 · LCA filings 711,910$44,6607
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $36,380 · LCA filings 011,650$36,3800
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $35,190 · LCA filings 011,100$35,1900
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $33,860 · LCA filings 511,000$33,8605
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $39,870 · LCA filings 010,630$39,8700

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Vineland, NJEmployment 330 · LCA filings 0$63,3403300
Albany, GAEmployment 400 · LCA filings 0$62,6804000
Atlantic City–Hammonton, NJEmployment 460 · LCA filings 0$59,3204600
Brunswick–St. Simons, GAEmployment 100 · LCA filings 0$58,0001000
Fairbanks–College, AKEmployment 60 · LCA filings 0$57,680600

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployers with LCA filings 11 · Employment 28,140171128,140
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployers with LCA filings 5 · Employment 11,9107511,910
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAEmployers with LCA filings 5 · Employment 18,4305518,430
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXEmployers with LCA filings 4 · Employment 11,0005411,000
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INEmployers with LCA filings 4 · Employment 17,1804417,180

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $47,237 · Level III $55,474 · Level IV $63,690$39,021$47,237$55,474$63,690
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $45,261 · Level III $50,502 · Level IV $55,723$40,040$45,261$50,502$55,723
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $41,122 · Level III $45,698 · Level IV $50,274$36,546$41,122$45,698$50,274
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $36,754 · Level III $41,205 · Level IV $45,635$32,323$36,754$41,205$45,635
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $42,702 · Level III $48,131 · Level IV $53,581$37,253$42,702$48,131$53,581
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $43,326 · Level III $50,752 · Level IV $58,178$35,901$43,326$50,752$58,178
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $33,800 · Level III $37,315 · Level IV $40,851$30,264$33,800$37,315$40,851
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $31,824 · Level III $36,462 · Level IV $41,101$27,186$31,824$36,462$41,101
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $31,928 · Level III $36,566 · Level IV $41,184$27,310$31,928$36,566$41,184
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $38,875 · Level III $46,821 · Level IV $54,746$30,950$38,875$46,821$54,746

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsCIP 13.12OPT · up to 12 months1,494OPT · up to 12 months
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related ServicesCIP 19.07OPT · up to 12 months480OPT · up to 12 months

See Preschool Teachers, except Special Education in every metro area

All 381 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Education & Library

Teaching Assistants, except PostsecondaryElementary School Teachers, except Special EducationSubstitute Teachers, Short-TermSecondary School Teachers, except Special and Career/Technical EducationSelf-Enrichment TeachersMiddle School Teachers, except Special and Career/Technical EducationTutorsTeaching Assistants, Postsecondary

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology