Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education

SOC: 25-2012 O*NET: 25-2012.00
Median Salary
$61,430
per year
Job Growth
📉 -1.6%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
12.8
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4

Teach academic and social skills to kindergarten students.

What does a Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education do?

Teach academic and social skills to kindergarten students.

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$45,750
10th percentile
Early Career
$50,290
25th percentile
Median
$61,430
50th percentile
Experienced
$77,720
75th percentile
Top Earners
$99,360
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$45,750
25th
$50,290
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$61,430
Mean: $67,020
75th
$77,720
90th
$99,360
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • Salary range spans $53,610 from entry level to top earners
  • Middle 50% earn between $50,290 and $77,720
  • Salary spread is 44.7% around the median, showing high variation
  • Total national employment: 114,410 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:117,200

Top Industries

Educational Services12.8%
Elementary and Secondary Schools12.7%
Social Assistance1%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:-1.6%
Annual Openings:12,800

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)117,200
Current
2034 (Projected)115,200
-1.6%
-1,900
Employment Change
-1.6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: More slowly than average

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education professionals work across the United States

Showing 15 of 50 locations
Florida
9,450 jobs$56,8701.30x
Texas
8,410 jobs$62,7000.82x
New York
7,720 jobs$75,1101.09x
California
6,520 jobs$84,5500.49x
New Jersey
5,760 jobs$69,1901.83x
Georgia
4,680 jobs$63,5701.30x
Washington
4,670 jobs$84,5001.78x
Illinois
4,260 jobs$62,6500.95x
Virginia
3,660 jobs$62,3501.21x
Louisiana
3,460 jobs$51,6902.44x
Colorado
3,260 jobs$60,5201.52x
Ohio
2,900 jobs$65,7500.71x
Tennessee
2,880 jobs$50,4101.19x
Pennsylvania
2,660 jobs$60,9000.60x
Minnesota
2,640 jobs$65,9701.22x

Understanding the Data

Location Quotient (LQ):

  • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
  • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
  • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average

Data Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024

Key Growth Factors

  • Employment decline projected

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Instructing
100%
#2
Social Perceptiveness
94%
#3
Learning Strategies
86%
#4
Monitoring
80%
#5
Speaking
74%
#6
Active Listening
66%
#7
Coordination
60%
#8
Reading Comprehension
54%
#9
Time Management
46%
#10
Service Orientation
40%

Skills Overview

Instructing
advanced5.0
100%
Social Perceptiveness
advanced4.7
94%
Learning Strategies
intermediate4.3
86%
Monitoring
intermediate4.0
80%
Speaking
intermediate3.7
74%
Active Listening
intermediate3.3
66%
Coordination
intermediate3.0
60%
Reading Comprehension
basic2.7
54%

Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.

Filter:
Sort by:

Instructing

advanced
Importance100%
skills
5.0/5.0

Social Perceptiveness

advanced
Importance94%
skills
4.7/5.0

Learning Strategies

intermediate
Importance86%
skills
4.3/5.0

Monitoring

intermediate
Importance80%
skills
4.0/5.0

Speaking

intermediate
Importance74%
skills
3.7/5.0

Active Listening

intermediate
Importance66%
skills
3.3/5.0

Coordination

intermediate
Importance60%
skills
3.0/5.0

Reading Comprehension

basic
Importance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0

Time Management

basic
Importance46%
skills
2.3/5.0

Service Orientation

basic
Importance40%
skills
2.0/5.0

Highly Transferable Skills

These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

Choreographers82%
5 shared skills
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors82%
5 shared skills
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education82%
5 shared skills
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School82%
5 shared skills
Tour Guides and Escorts80%
5 shared skills
Parking Enforcement Workers73%
5 shared skills

Skills by Career Stage

Entry Level

Must Have:
  • Instructing
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Learning Strategies
  • Monitoring
Learn on the Job:
  • Active Listening
  • Coordination
  • Reading Comprehension

Mid Career

Expected:
  • Instructing
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Learning Strategies
  • Monitoring

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Learning Strategies
  • Speaking

Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
  • Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
  • Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
  • Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time

What technology will you use?

Technology & Digital Skills

Essential technology proficiencies for Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education

Technology Intensity
Medium

Digital Literacy Requirements

This career requires intermediate digital literacy

1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert

Key Digital Competencies:

Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥

Hot Technologies in Demand

These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

Microsoft Outlook

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Office software

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft PowerPoint

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Excel

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Word

🔥 Hot Tech

Technology Stack

Technology Stack Overview

Key technologies used in this career

Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word

📚 Technology Learning Resources

Recommended Certifications

  • Vendor-specific software certifications
  • Industry-recognized technology credentials
  • Professional development courses

Online Learning Platforms

  • LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
  • Coursera - University-level programs
  • Udemy - Practical skills training

💡 Technology Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
  • Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
  • Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
  • Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers

What's the work environment like?

🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT

💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?

Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:

  • Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
  • Can you meet moderate physical demands?
  • Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
  • Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?

What are the key tasks?

Tasks & Responsibilities

21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Training & Development (4)Documentation & Record-Keeping (6)Planning & Development (4)General Responsibilities (6)Communication & Coordination (1)
1

Teach basic skills, such as color, shape, number and letter recognition, personal hygiene, and social skills.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
100%
Training & Development100% perform
2

Establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order among students.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
98%
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform
3

Observe and evaluate children's performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
96%
Planning & Development94% perform
4

Instruct students individually and in groups, adapting teaching methods to meet students' varying needs and interests.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
94%
Training & Development91% perform
5

Read books to entire classes or to small groups.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
92%
General Responsibilities88% perform
6

Demonstrate activities to children.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
90%
General Responsibilities85% perform
7

Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate, and use, both in learning activities and in imaginative play.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
88%
General Responsibilities82% perform
8

Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
86%
Planning & Development79% perform
9

Confer with parents or guardians, other teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
84%
Training & Development76% perform
10

Prepare children for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
82%
Documentation & Record-Keeping73% perform

💡 Key Takeaways

  • Daily tasks focus primarily on training & development activities
  • 33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
  • Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities

What career paths are available?

Career Pathways

0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase

Advancement Opportunities

Typical career progression paths from Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education

💡 Career Planning Tips

  • Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
  • Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
  • Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
  • Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves

Is this career right for you?

Personality & Values Fit

Is This Career Right for You?

Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education professionals typically have a SAC Holland code and highly value relationships

SSocial
AArtistic
CConventional

Important Personality Traits

Work styles that contribute to success as a Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education

Integrity

Critical

Integrity

Importance Level4.81

Dependability

Critical

Dependability

Importance Level4.80

Adaptability/Flexibility

Critical

Adaptability/Flexibility

Importance Level4.77

Concern for Others

Critical

Concern for Others

Importance Level4.70

Persistence

Critical

Persistence

Importance Level4.69

Cooperation

Critical

Cooperation

Importance Level4.66

Complete Work Styles Profile

Integrity
4.8
Dependability
4.8
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.8
Concern for Others
4.7
Persistence
4.7
Cooperation
4.7
Stress Tolerance
4.6
Attention to Detail
4.6
Self-Control
4.5
Leadership
4.5

💡 Tips for Career Fit Success

  • While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
  • Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
  • Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
  • Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career

What education is required?

Education Level

Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years

Preparation Level

Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed

Experience Needed

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed

📚 Education Requirement

Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Training:

Significant preparation with related work experience

💼 Experience Requirement

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed

Common pathways to gain experience:

  • Bachelor's degree in related field
  • Several years of work experience
  • Professional certifications often required
4

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required

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