BLS wage data · May 2025 Education O*NET-SOC 25-2011 Tax year 2026

Preschool Teacher after tax: what $38,140 becomes in every state

Preschool teachers provide essential early childhood education, though the compensation for this role varies widely based on geographic location and district requirements. According to federal data, the national median wage for this occupation stands at $38,140. It is important to remember that this figure represents the middle point of the distribution, rather than an entry-level starting salary. Educators looking at job offers should carefully differentiate between gross earnings and the actual amount that appears in their bank accounts after all taxes.

Preschool Teacher take-home at $38,140 — strongest and weakest states

Same gross wage everywhere: $38,140 a year. The four states keeping the most and the four keeping the least, ranked by take-home. Rent is the Zillow ZORI metro average for that state and is clearly labelled as a rent figure, not a tax.

State	State tax	Federal	FICA	Take-home / year	Take-home / month	Rent / month	Left after rent
Alaska no state income tax	$0	$2,397	$2,918	$32,825	$2,735	—	—
Florida no state income tax	$0	$2,397	$2,918	$32,825	$2,735	$2,076	$7,913
Nevada no state income tax	$0	$2,397	$2,918	$32,825	$2,735	$1,742	$11,921
New Hampshire no state income tax	$0	$2,397	$2,918	$32,825	$2,735	—	—
South Carolina flat 6.00%	$2,288	$2,397	$2,918	$30,537	$2,545	$1,569	$11,709
Vermont planning estimate	$2,288	$2,397	$2,918	$30,537	$2,545	—	—
District of Columbia planning estimate	$2,479	$2,397	$2,918	$30,346	$2,529	$2,433	$1,150
Oregon planning estimate	$2,670	$2,397	$2,918	$30,155	$2,513	$1,818	$8,339

State income tax on wages is zero in Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming — those states share the same take-home on this wage and only differ in what the local rent does to it.

Best and worst states for Preschool Teacher

Five states that keep the most of a $38,140 wage and five that keep the least. The full 51-state table follows.

All 51 states →

Highest take-home

State	State tax	Take-home	/ month
1. Alaska	$0	$32,825	$2,735
2. Florida	$0	$32,825	$2,735
3. Nevada	$0	$32,825	$2,735
4. New Hampshire	$0	$32,825	$2,735
5. South Dakota	$0	$32,825	$2,735

Lowest take-home

State	State tax	Take-home	/ month
1. Oregon	$2,670	$30,155	$2,513
2. District of Columbia	$2,479	$30,346	$2,529
3. Vermont	$2,288	$30,537	$2,545
4. South Carolina	$2,288	$30,537	$2,545
5. Minnesota	$2,288	$30,537	$2,545

The gap between Alaska and Oregon is $2,670 a year on an identical $38,140 wage.

Where Preschool Teacher pay sits nationally

BLS percentile wages for this occupation, and what each level leaves after 2026 federal, FICA and state tax in the best and the worst state on the page (Alaska and Oregon).

Wage level (BLS national)	Gross / year	Take-home in Alaska	Take-home in Oregon	Difference
10th percentile 'BLS national'	$28,990	$25,473	$23,444	$2,029
25th percentile 'BLS national'	$34,530	$29,924	$27,507	$2,417
Median 'BLS national'	$38,140	$32,825	$30,155	$2,670
75th percentile 'BLS national'	$47,550	$40,386	$37,057	$3,329
90th percentile 'BLS national'	$61,390	$51,507	$47,210	$4,297

Percentile wages are published BLS OEWS values for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education; the take-home columns are the same engine used by every AfterTaxLab calculator. About 478,780 people work in this occupation nationwide.

How the state line moves this wage

The same $38,140 under different state tax models

The primary driver behind the variation in a teacher's take-home pay is state-level taxation. While federal obligations are consistent, state policies can significantly alter the final amount available for living expenses. For instance, in a high-tax environment like Oregon, the state tax burden reaches $2,670 annually. This reduces the total annual take-home pay to $30,155. Because these tax laws fluctuate, it is essential for preschool teachers to look at the specific state tax percentage applied to their earnings when evaluating the true value of a job offer in a new region.

States that impose no state income tax provide a distinct advantage for preschool teachers looking to maximize their net earnings. In states like Alaska, Florida, or Nevada, educators keep more of their paycheck because there is no state-level withholding on their wages. This policy results in a take-home pay of $32,825 for those earning the national median. This benefit effectively allows teachers to retain a larger portion of their income compared to their counterparts in states that levy a personal income tax, helping to offset regional variations in the cost of living.

All 51 states, ranked for Preschool Teacher

Every state and DC, ranked by take-home on the same $38,140 gross wage. Rent is the ZORI metro average for the metros published in that state.

#	State	State tax	Take-home / year	Effective total tax	Rent / month
1	Alaska AK	$0	$32,825	13.9%	—
2	Florida FL	$0	$32,825	13.9%	$2,076
3	Nevada NV	$0	$32,825	13.9%	$1,742
4	New Hampshire NH	$0	$32,825	13.9%	—
5	South Dakota SD	$0	$32,825	13.9%	—
6	Tennessee TN	$0	$32,825	13.9%	$1,607
7	Texas TX	$0	$32,825	13.9%	$1,587
8	Washington WA	$0	$32,825	13.9%	$2,278
9	Wyoming WY	$0	$32,825	13.9%	—
10	California CA	$694	$32,131	15.8%	$2,861
11	Arizona AZ	$954	$31,871	16.4%	$1,603
12	North Dakota ND	$1,106	$31,719	16.8%	—
13	Louisiana LA	$1,144	$31,681	16.9%	$1,598
14	Ohio OH	$1,144	$31,681	16.9%	$1,499
15	Indiana IN	$1,163	$31,662	17.0%	$1,552
16	Pennsylvania PA	$1,171	$31,654	17.0%	$1,690
17	Iowa IA	$1,449	$31,376	17.7%	—
18	New York NY	$1,493	$31,332	17.9%	$2,200
19	Kentucky KY	$1,526	$31,299	17.9%	$1,348
20	Michigan MI	$1,621	$31,204	18.2%	$1,578
21	North Carolina NC	$1,621	$31,204	18.2%	$1,712
22	Arkansas AR	$1,678	$31,147	18.3%	—
23	Colorado CO	$1,678	$31,147	18.3%	$1,922
24	Delaware DE	$1,716	$31,109	18.4%	—
25	Kansas KS	$1,716	$31,109	18.4%	—
26	Virginia VA	$1,716	$31,109	18.4%	$1,810
27	Utah UT	$1,735	$31,090	18.5%	$1,641
28	Mississippi MS	$1,793	$31,032	18.6%	—
29	Oklahoma OK	$1,812	$31,013	18.7%	$1,385
30	Missouri MO	$1,831	$30,994	18.7%	$1,486
31	West Virginia WV	$1,838	$30,987	18.8%	—
32	New Mexico NM	$1,869	$30,956	18.8%	—
33	Illinois IL	$1,888	$30,937	18.9%	$2,210
34	Alabama AL	$1,907	$30,918	18.9%	$1,433
35	Connecticut CT	$1,907	$30,918	18.9%	$2,462
36	Maryland MD	$1,907	$30,918	18.9%	$1,948
37	Massachusetts MA	$1,907	$30,918	18.9%	$2,599
38	Rhode Island RI	$1,907	$30,918	18.9%	$2,167
39	Wisconsin WI	$1,907	$30,918	18.9%	$1,563
40	Georgia GA	$1,979	$30,846	19.1%	$1,853
41	Nebraska NE	$1,983	$30,842	19.1%	$1,413
42	Maine ME	$2,098	$30,727	19.4%	—
43	New Jersey NJ	$2,098	$30,727	19.4%	—
44	Idaho ID	$2,172	$30,653	19.6%	—
45	Montana MT	$2,250	$30,575	19.8%	—
46	Hawaii HI	$2,288	$30,537	19.9%	$3,020
47	Minnesota MN	$2,288	$30,537	19.9%	$1,719
48	South Carolina SC	$2,288	$30,537	19.9%	$1,569
49	Vermont VT	$2,288	$30,537	19.9%	—
50	District of Columbia DC	$2,479	$30,346	20.4%	$2,433
51	Oregon OR	$2,670	$30,155	20.9%	$1,818

The largest single state tax bill on this wage is in Oregon at $2,670; across the 51 states the average state tax is $1,464. Local city and county taxes, credits and itemised deductions are excluded from every figure.

What this means in practice for Preschool Teacher

Understanding the difference between gross pay and net income is vital for those managing classroom budgets or planning their personal finances. While the gross pay remains constant in our analysis, the mandatory federal deductions, such as the $2,397 allocated for federal tax, remain identical regardless of where a teacher is employed. FICA contributions also stay uniform across all states. This page is for educational purposes only and is not tax advice, so always verify specific local withholdings before making significant decisions.

When evaluating an offer, preschool teachers must consider how housing costs interact with their net salary. Even if a state has no income tax, the local cost of rent can quickly erode the benefits of a higher take-home pay. For example, living in the District of Columbia requires a significant portion of a teacher's income, with annual rent costs leaving only $1,150 for the rest of the year. This demonstrates why comparing raw salary numbers without accounting for regional rent averages can lead to misleading conclusions about financial stability.

A common mistake for educators is comparing gross salary offers without accounting for local tax burdens or housing affordability. Some teachers assume that a higher gross paycheck implies a better lifestyle, ignoring the fact that state taxes can result in a $2,670 spread between different jurisdictions. Before accepting a position, always calculate your anticipated monthly take-home pay after accounting for both state taxes and average local rent. This approach ensures that you understand the actual purchasing power of your salary in your specific community.

Preschool Teacher pay after tax: common questions

Does the federal tax amount change if I move to a different state?

No, the federal tax and FICA components of your paycheck are determined by national law. At the median wage level, the federal tax is $2,397 and the FICA contribution is $2,918, which remain identical regardless of your state of residence.

Why is my take-home pay higher in Alaska than in Oregon?

The difference stems from state-level income tax policies. Alaska imposes no state income tax, allowing you to keep a higher portion of your earnings, whereas Oregon has a state tax bill of $2,670 at this wage level.

Are all states without income tax equally affordable for teachers?

Not necessarily. While states like Nevada offer the benefit of no state income tax, you must also consider the local cost of rent. In Nevada, the average rent is $1,742 per month, which impacts your overall budget differently than in other zero-tax states.

Does the $38,140 median wage reflect what I should expect as a new teacher?

The $38,140 figure is the national median, meaning half of the professionals in this field earn more and half earn less. It is a statistical middle point, not a guaranteed starting salary for an entry-level position.

How does rent affect my ability to save money?

Rent is often the largest expense for teachers. For example, in South Carolina, the average rent of $1,569 per month leaves $11,709 remaining after a full year of rent, showing how housing costs directly influence your remaining disposable income.

What should I verify before comparing job offers in different states?

Check the state income tax rate for your specific salary and research the average rental costs in the local metro area. Comparing the net take-home pay after these specific expenses provides a more accurate picture of your financial situation.

Sources for this page

Wage data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national estimates, May 2025 — series OEUN000000000000025201113 (annual median) and OEUN000000000000025201104 (annual mean), retrieved 2026-09-21 via the BLS Public Data API v2 — https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm · Occupation titles: O*NET 29.0 Database — https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html · Take-home figures: AfterTaxLab 2026 engine (/assets/js/tax-2026.js), single filer, no pre-tax contributions · Rents: Zillow Research ZORI (Metro), kamuya açık araştırma dosyası (Aug 2026).

Estimates for planning only — not tax advice. Tax year 2026, single filer, no pre-tax contributions, no city or county tax. Same engine as every AfterTaxLab calculator · methodology.

Preschool Teacher after tax: what $38,140 becomes in every state

Preschool Teacher take-home at $38,140 — strongest and weakest states

Best and worst states for Preschool Teacher

Where Preschool Teacher pay sits nationally

The same $38,140 under different state tax models

All 51 states, ranked for Preschool Teacher

What this means in practice for Preschool Teacher

Preschool Teacher pay after tax: common questions

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