Shigoto Zukan
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How to become preschool teachers, except special educationeducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Education Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$38,140
25th–75th pct. $34,530–$47,550
Top pay (est.)
$79,800
Top 10% $61,390
Pay in 5 years
$44,800est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$52,700est.
$45,300–$61,100
Outlook score
62/100
★★★☆☆ Average
AI replacement risk
16%
Very low
Job growth (10 yr)
+4.5%
67K openings / yr

How to become preschool teachers, except special education

Typical education
Associate's degree
BLS
Related experience
None
On-the-job training
None

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education

Key skills

Learning Strategies
4.0
Coordination
3.6
Social Perceptiveness
3.6
Monitoring
3.5
Instructing
3.2
Reading Comprehension
3.2
Speaking
3.1
Active Listening
3.1

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Education and Training
4.3
Customer and Personal Service
4.0
English Language
3.9
Psychology
2.9
Public Safety and Security
2.8
Administrative
2.7
Sociology and Anthropology
2.5
Therapy and Counseling
2.4

What the work involves

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsAssisting and Caring for OthersOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersGetting InformationThinking CreativelyIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Important abilities

Oral ExpressionOral ComprehensionOriginalityProblem SensitivitySpeech ClarityFluency of Ideas

Education of workers

High school diploma
29%
Bachelor's degree
17%
Some college
12%
Master's degree
12%
Associate's degree
12%
Post-secondary certificate
10%
Post-bachelor's certificate
8%

Training before entry

None / short demo
39%
Up to 1 month
23%
6–12 months
11%
1–2 years
10%
3–6 months
9%
1–3 months
8%

Related work experience

1–2 years
33%
3–6 months
18%
6–12 months
17%
None
16%
2–4 years
14%
4–6 years
3%

Job Zone 3 — medium preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as preschool teachers, except special education

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.