Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education pay in Illinois

In Illinois, the median pay for preschool teachers, except special education is $19.67 an hour ($40,910 a year). About 22,420 people work in this job there.

$19.67Median hourly pay
$37,750–$46,790Middle half of workers, yearly
22,420People in this job in Illinois

That is 7% higher than the U.S. median ($38,140). Illinois ranks 21st of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

Pay range for preschool teachers, except special education in Illinois

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$17.32$36,030
25% of workers$18.15$37,750
Half of workers (median)$19.67$40,910
75% of workers$22.50$46,790
90% of workers$29.28$60,890

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education pay in Illinois metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Rockford$46,730380
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin$43,05017,180
Decatur$42,740130
Champaign-Urbana$39,510630
Springfield$38,300450
Kankakee$38,030190
Peoria$37,850590
Bloomington$37,720310

Illinois unemployment rate: 4.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education, experience and outlook for preschool teachers, except special education

  • Typical education to start: Associate's degree (BLS)
  • Related work experience most have: 6 months to 1 year (O*NET)
  • Job outlook: +4.5% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 66,700 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in Illinois

JobMedian yearly pay
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$75,320
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$76,110
Childcare Workers$35,830
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$79,890
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$64,020
Special Education Teachers, Preschool$62,580
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$79,990
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$77,960

Other job titles for this job

Child Development TeacherChild Care Assistant TeacherChildcare TeacherChildhood Development TeacherCare TeacherEarly Childhood EducatorEarly Childhood TeacherGroup TeacherHome-based Preschool TeacherMontessori ParaprofessionalMontessori Preschool TeacherNursery School Teacher

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.