Jobs Similar to Special Education Teachers (Preschool)
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to special education teachers (preschool), according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Special Education Teachers (Secondary School), Preschool Teachers and Special Education Teachers (Middle School).
Special Education Teachers (Preschool): $64,830 median pay · usual preparation: Bachelor's degree.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
- 1Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
85% similar · $74,260 (+15%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 2Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
84% similar · $38,140 (−41%) · Training or associate · Same group
- 3Special Education Teachers, Middle School
83% similar · $66,810 (+3%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 4Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
83% similar · $63,970 (−1%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 5Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education
83% similar · $62,680 (−3%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 6Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
83% similar · $72,040 (+11%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 7Recreational Therapists
82% similar · $61,960 (−4%) · Bachelor's degree
- 8Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
82% similar · $75,870 (+17%) · Graduate degree
- 9Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors
82% similar · $61,540 (−5%) · Bachelor's degree
- 10Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School
81% similar · $65,030 (0%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 11Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School
81% similar · $66,270 (+2%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 12Adapted Physical Education Specialists
81% similar · $76,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 13Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
81% similar · $64,330 (−1%) · Graduate degree
- 14Childcare Workers
81% similar · $34,980 (−46%) · High school
- 15Child, Family, and School Social Workers
80% similar · $59,550 (−8%) · Bachelor's degree
- 16Occupational Therapy Assistants
80% similar · $72,300 (+12%) · Training or associate
- 17Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary
80% similar · $77,570 (+20%) · Graduate degree
- 18Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists
80% similar · $100,330 (broader group) · Graduate degree
- 19Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
80% similar · $80,250 (+24%) · Graduate degree
- 20Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
80% similar · $60,280 (−7%) · Graduate degree
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than special education teachers (preschool).
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School85% similar · $74,260 (+15%)
- Occupational Therapy Assistants80% similar · $72,300 (+12%)
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education83% similar · $72,040 (+11%)
- Special Education Teachers, Middle School83% similar · $66,810 (+3%)
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School81% similar · $66,270 (+2%)
Similar jobs that need less preparation
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for special education teachers (preschool) also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where special education teachers (preschool) is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors (86)
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term (83)
- Recreational Therapists (82)
- Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (81)
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers (80)
- Community Health Workers (78)
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors (78)
- Tutors (78)
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (77)
- Music Therapists (77)
Questions about jobs like special education teachers (preschool)
What jobs are most similar to special education teachers (preschool)?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Special Education Teachers (Secondary School) (85% similar), Preschool Teachers (84% similar), Special Education Teachers (Middle School) (83% similar), Elementary School Teachers (83% similar) and Kindergarten Teachers (83% similar).
Which jobs like special education teachers (preschool) pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Nursing Instructors and Teachers ($80,250, +24%; usually a graduate degree), Social Work Teachers ($77,570, +20%; usually a graduate degree) and Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers ($75,870, +17%; usually a graduate degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with special education teachers (preschool) ($64,830). Without more preparation than special education teachers (preschool) usually need: Special Education Teachers (Secondary School), Occupational Therapy Assistants and Secondary School Teachers.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.