Instruct preschool-aged students, following curricula or lesson plans, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth.
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
SOC: 25-2011 O*NET: 25-2011.00
Median Salary
$37,120
per year
Job Growth
📈 4.1%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
65.5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
Instruct preschool-aged students, following curricula or lesson plans, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth.
What does a Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$28,300
10th percentile
Early Career
$31,250
25th percentile
Median
$37,120
50th percentile
Experienced
$46,550
75th percentile
Top Earners
$60,070
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$28,300
25th
$31,250
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$37,120
Mean: $41,450
75th
$46,550
90th
$60,070
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $31,770 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $31,250 and $46,550
- •Salary spread is 41.2% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 445,080 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:555,100
Top Industries
Social Assistance74.1%
Child Care Services71.2%
Educational Services6.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+4.1%
Annual Openings:65,500
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)555,100
Current
2034 (Projected)578,100
+4.1%
+22,900
Employment Change
+4.1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
49,260 jobs$45,8800.94x
Florida
34,940 jobs$34,2701.23x
Texas
31,480 jobs$33,8600.79x
New York
25,180 jobs$45,5800.91x
Pennsylvania
23,190 jobs$34,2501.34x
Illinois
20,290 jobs$37,2201.16x
Ohio
18,840 jobs$32,7601.18x
New Jersey
17,990 jobs$46,5701.47x
North Carolina
16,820 jobs$30,9801.19x
Massachusetts
15,380 jobs$45,0301.46x
Washington
13,020 jobs$43,3501.27x
Virginia
12,030 jobs$37,3201.03x
Wisconsin
11,790 jobs$34,9501.40x
Georgia
11,230 jobs$42,3300.80x
Minnesota
10,830 jobs$38,6501.29x
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
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Speaking
100%
#2
Instructing
94%
#3
Learning Strategies
86%
#4
Active Listening
80%
#5
Coordination
74%
#6
Social Perceptiveness
66%
#7
Critical Thinking
60%
#8
Monitoring
54%
#9
Reading Comprehension
46%
#10
Service Orientation
40%
Skills Overview
Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Instructing
advanced4.7
94%
Learning Strategies
intermediate4.3
86%
Active Listening
intermediate4.0
80%
Coordination
intermediate3.7
74%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate3.3
66%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.0
60%
Monitoring
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:
Speaking
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Instructing
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Learning Strategies
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Service Orientation
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School82%
5 shared skills
Choreographers82%
5 shared skills
Directors, Religious Activities and Education82%
5 shared skills
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education82%
5 shared skills
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers82%
5 shared skills
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Instructing
- ✓Learning Strategies
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Monitoring
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Instructing
- ✓Learning Strategies
- ✓Active Listening
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Learning Strategies
- ★Active Listening
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 Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Office software
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
LOW
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY 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 low physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly 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:
General Responsibilities (8)Training & Development (3)Documentation & Record-Keeping (4)Planning & Development (5)Communication & Coordination (1)
1
Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate, and use, both in learning activities and in imaginative play.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Attend to children's basic needs by feeding them, dressing them, and changing their diapers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Teach basic skills, such as color, shape, number and letter recognition, personal hygiene, and social skills.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development94% perform96%
4
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform94%
5
Read books to entire classes or to small groups.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Organize and lead activities designed to promote physical, mental, and social development, such as games, arts and crafts, music, storytelling, and field trips.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development85% perform90%
7
Observe and evaluate children's performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development82% perform88%
8
Identify children showing signs of emotional, developmental, or health-related problems and discuss them with supervisors, parents or guardians, and child development specialists.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
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.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development76% perform84%
10
Enforce all administration policies and rules governing students.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities 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 Preschool 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?
Preschool 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 Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.74
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.70
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.67
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.65
Adaptability/Flexibility
CriticalAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.59
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.58
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.7
Self-Control
4.7
Dependability
4.7
Concern for Others
4.7
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.6
Cooperation
4.6
Stress Tolerance
4.5
Independence
4.3
Initiative
4.3
Leadership
4.3
💡 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
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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