Education and libraries
Preschool teachers, except special education
Instruct preschool-aged students, following curricula or lesson plans, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth.
Median pay
$38,140
Growth to 2035
+5%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
66,700
Time to qualify*
2 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Preschool teachers, except special education
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Associate's degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
Calculate your switch to preschool teachers, except special education
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Exposure to disease
Preschool teachers, except special education: 15% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Teach basic skills, such as color, shape, number and letter recognition, personal hygiene, and social skills.
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order.
- Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate, and use, both in learning activities and in imaginative play.
- Serve meals and snacks in accordance with nutritional guidelines.
- Attend to children's basic needs by feeding them, dressing them, and changing their diapers.
- Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and needs, determine their priorities for their children, and suggest ways that they can promote learning and development.
- Organize and lead activities designed to promote physical, mental, and social development, such as games, arts and crafts, music, storytelling, and field trips.
Also called: Child Development Teacher · Early Childhood Teacher · Group Teacher · Infant Teacher · Montessori Preschool Teacher · Nursery Teacher · Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher) · Teacher
Outlook and AI
Preschool teachers, except special education held 583,200 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 609,400 by 2035 (+5%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Preschool teachers, except special education vs. Kindergarten teachers, except special education
- Preschool teachers, except special education vs. Elementary school teacher
- Preschool teachers, except special education vs. Special education teachers, preschool
- Preschool teachers, except special education vs. Special education teachers, secondary school
- Preschool teachers, except special education vs. Childcare worker
- Preschool teachers, except special education vs. Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education