Preschool Teachers
O*NET title: Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
Instruct preschool-aged students, following curricula or lesson plans, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth.
Also called: After School Teacher, Child Care Assistant Teacher, Child Development Teacher, Childcare Teacher, Childhood Development Teacher, Day Care Teacher
Median pay
$38,140
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$28,990 – $61,390
People employed
478,780
Holland code
SAC
Social · Artistic · Conventional
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 2.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 3.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 4.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 5.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 6.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 7.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 8.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
Preschool Teachers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What preschool teachers do
- 01Teach basic skills, such as color, shape, number and letter recognition, personal hygiene, and social skills.
- 02Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order.
- 03Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- 04Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate, and use, both in learning activities and in imaginative play.
- 05Serve meals and snacks in accordance with nutritional guidelines.
- 06Attend to children's basic needs by feeding them, dressing them, and changing their diapers.
Skills that matter most
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Learning Strategies
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
Knowledge
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Customer and Personal Service
- Psychology
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Cooperation
- Social Orientation
- Self-Control
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
- A certification can help.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from preschool teachers
- Childcare Workers87% · −8%
- Self-Enrichment Teachers83% · +23%
- Tutors80% · +14%
- Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors78% · +61%
- Psychiatric Technicians77% · +18%
Change into preschool teachers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Childcare Workers88% · $34,980
- Nannies84% · $34,980
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term82% · $41,670
- Self-Enrichment Teachers78% · $46,800
- Residential Advisors75% · $42,240
Majors that lead here
- Bilingual and Multilingual Education
- Teacher Education, Multiple Levels
- Montessori Teacher Education
- Waldorf/Steiner Teacher Education
- Kindergarten/Preschool Education and Teaching
- Early Childhood Education and Teaching
- International Teaching and Learning
- Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor
- Teaching French as a Second or Foreign Language
- Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language, Other
- Child Development
- Child Care and Support Services Management
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.