Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education Salary
The median pay for a preschool teachers, except special education in Iowa is $33,830/year ($16.26/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $28K at the entry level to $48K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.86), which stretches that salary to about $38,071 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,064/month, about 46.1% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Iowa. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $34K get you in Iowa?
About preschool teachers, except special educations
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What this looks like in Iowa
Pay for preschool teachers, except special education in Iowa runs about 11% below the U.S. median of $38K. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,064/month, which is 46.1% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.86 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. That combination, below-market pay with high housing costs, makes this a financially demanding market for preschool teachers, except special educations.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Iowa
Entry-level preschool teachers, except special educations (10th percentile) start around $28K. Mid-career wages sit at $34K. Top earners bring in $48K or more, a $21K spread from bottom to top.
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary by metro in Iowa
8 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux City | $38K | +12% | 140 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $37K | +10% | 580 |
| Cedar Rapids | $35K | +3% | 550 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $34K | +0% | 1,800 |
| Dubuque | $31K | -8% | 200 |
| Iowa City | $31K | -9% | 470 |
| Ames | $31K | -10% | 290 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | $30K | -10% | 360 |
Compare to other states
Track preschool teachers, except special education salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Iowa numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a preschool teachers, except special education afford a 2BR apartment alone in Iowa?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $34K, rent takes 46.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,064/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $700/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for preschool teachers, except special educations in Iowa?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new preschool teachers, except special educations typically earn — is $28K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $1,664/month. At HUD’s $1,064/month FMR, rent would take 64% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is preschool teachers, except special education a high-paying job in Iowa?
Local pay runs 11% below the national median — $34K here vs. $38K nationally. Cost of living is 11% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Iowa compare to the national average for preschool teachers, except special educations?
Iowa pays $34K median vs. the U.S. average of $38K — that’s -11%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.86), the purchasing-power equivalent is $38K — below the national median.
How much do preschool teachers, except special educations make in Iowa?
The median is $33,830 a year, that works out to about $16 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $27,730, and experienced preschool teachers, except special educations can clear $48,390. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $34K enough to live in Iowa?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,310/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,064/month, which eats 46.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a preschool teachers, except special education salary go in Iowa?
Iowa has a Regional Price Parity of 88.86 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median preschool teachers, except special education salary is worth about $38,071 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do preschool teachers, except special educations get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.