SOC 25-2011 · Helena, MT metro

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education Salary in Helena, MT

The average salary for preschool teachers (except special education) in Helena, Montana is $36,730 a year ($17.66 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $35,440: half of the 70 people in this job in the Helena, MT metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 15% less than the U.S. average for this job ($43,030).

$36,730average per year

$17.66 / hourMedian $35,440Take-home ≈ $30,723

  • $22K10th
  • $31K25th
  • $35KMedian
  • $39K75th
  • $47K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

70people in this job
-15%vs U.S. average
#5 of 5Montana metros
96cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education pay range in Helena

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $22,240 a year or less, while the top 10% make $47,070 or more. The middle half of preschool teachers (except special education) in Helena earn between $31,060 and $39,000.

  • $22K10th
  • $31K25th
  • $35KMedian
  • $39K75th
  • $47K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$36,730$3,061$17.66
Median$35,440$2,953$17.04
Entry level (25th percentile)$31,060$2,588$14.93
Experienced (75th percentile)$39,000$3,250$18.75

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education pay in Helena vs. Montana and the U.S.

Preschool teachers (except special education) in Helena earn 4% less than the Montana average ($38,440) and 15% less than the U.S. average ($43,030). At the median the gap is -7% against the U.S. median of $38,140.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Helena$36,730$35,440$22,240$47,07070
Montana$38,440$36,540$28,370$49,550960
United States$43,030$38,140$28,990$61,390478,780

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary after taxes in Helena

On the average salary of $36,730, a single filer in Helena takes home about $30,723 a year, or $2,560 a month and $1,182 every two weeks. Taxes take 16% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).

Montana paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Helena a good place for preschool teachers (except special education)? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Helena area are 4% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 95.7), so the average $36,730 buys what about $38,390 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Helena ($55,040). A typical home costs $477,996, or 13.0 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $36,730 is worth in another city

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary in other Montana cities

Helena ranks 5th of 5 Montana metro areas for this job; Bozeman pays the most ($42,830).

All Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salaries in Montana

Highest-paying cities for preschool teachers (except special education)

Vineland, NJ pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($62,570).

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary by city

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Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary in Helena: questions

How much do preschool teachers (except special education) make an hour in Helena?

$17.66 an hour on average, and $17.04 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level preschool teachers (except special education) salary in Helena?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $22,240 a year and the 25th percentile is $31,060, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the preschool teachers (except special education) take-home pay in Helena?

About $30,723 a year ($2,560 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $36,730.

Do preschool teachers (except special education) earn more in Helena than elsewhere?

The average here is 15% less than the U.S. average for this job ($43,030).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 25-2011; area Helena, MT (25740). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.8%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
  • Job concentration: location quotient 0.51, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.51).

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