The median annual wage of preschool teachers was $25,700 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $17,200, and the top 10 percent earned more than $46,830.
In 2010, the median annual wages of industries employing the most preschool teachers were as follows:
| Elementary and secondary schools | $39,470 |
| Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations | 25,200 |
| Child day care services | 23,520 |
Preschool teachers generally work during school hours, typically 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Many work the traditional 10-month school year, which includes a 2-month break during the summer. Some preschool teachers may teach in summer programs. Teachers in districts with a year-round schedule typically work 8 weeks in a row, are on break for 1 week, and have a 5-week midwinter break. Those working in day care settings often work the whole year.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition