Will AI replace special education teachers, preschool?AI replacement risk 31% and how the work is changing

United States Education Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$64,830

25th–75th pct. $52,210–$91,660

Top pay (est.)

$169,100

Top 10% $130,040

Pay in 5 years

$75,400est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$87,700est.

$75,400–$101,800

Outlook score

50/100

★★★☆☆ Average

AI replacement risk

31%

Low

Job growth (10 yr)

+2.4%

2,000 openings / yr

Will AI replace Special Education Teachers, Preschool? AI replacement risk

31%

Low

Ranked #268 safest from AI among all U.S. occupations

Very lowLowModerateHighVery high

How AI is changing this job

A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.

AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →

Skills, education and requirements for Special Education Teachers, Preschool

Key skills

Learning Strategies

4.2

Social Perceptiveness

4.1

Speaking

4.1

Monitoring

4.1

Active Learning

4.1

Writing

4.0

Active Listening

4.0

Reading Comprehension

4.0

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Customer and Personal Service

5.0

Education and Training

4.8

Psychology

4.2

English Language

4.0

Administrative

3.9

Therapy and Counseling

3.5

Computers and Electronics

3.3

Sociology and Anthropology

3.2

What the work involves

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkAssisting and Caring for OthersEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesDeveloping and Building TeamsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsThinking Creatively

Important abilities

Oral ExpressionOral ComprehensionWritten ComprehensionWritten ExpressionDeductive ReasoningProblem Sensitivity

Training before entry

Up to 1 month

24%

None / short demo

24%

6–12 months

18%

1–2 years

13%

2–4 years

3–6 months

1–3 months

4–10 years

Related work experience

None

39%

1–2 years

25%

2–4 years

17%

6–12 months

16%

8–10 years

Job Zone 4 — considerable preparation needed (O*NET)

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

Related occupations

	Occupation	Pay	Outlook	AI risk
1	Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education Teach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level.	$63,970	46/100	28%
2	Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.	$72,040	45/100	36%
3	Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education Teach one or more subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level.	$64,370	40/100	45%
4	Substitute Teachers, Short-Term Teach students on a short-term basis as a temporary replacement for a regular classroom teacher, typically using the regular teacher's lesson plan.	$41,670	49/100	39%
5	Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education Instruct preschool-aged students, following curricula or lesson plans, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth.	$38,140	62/100	16%
6	Self-Enrichment Teachers Teach or instruct individuals or groups for the primary purpose of self-enrichment or recreation, rather than for an occupational objective, educational attainment, competition, or fitness.	$46,800	61/100	22%

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.