Education & Library
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
Also called: Child Development Teacher, Early Childhood Teacher, Group Teacher, Infant Teacher
US median pay
$38,140
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+4.5%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
66,700
583,200 employed
Typical entry education
Associate's degree
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
Instruct preschool-aged students, following curricula or lesson plans, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth.
What they do day to day
- Teach basic skills, such as color, shape, number and letter recognition, personal hygiene, and social skills.
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order.
- Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate, and use, both in learning activities and in imaginative play.
- Serve meals and snacks in accordance with nutritional guidelines.
- Attend to children's basic needs by feeding them, dressing them, and changing their diapers.
- 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.
- Organize and lead activities designed to promote physical, mental, and social development, such as games, arts and crafts, music, storytelling, and field trips.
- Identify children showing signs of emotional, developmental, or health-related problems and discuss them with supervisors, parents or guardians, and child development specialists.
- Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Instructing4.0/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.8/5
- Coordination3.8/5
- Service Orientation3.6/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Persuasion3.0/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.0/5
Knowledge
- Education and Training4.0/5
- English Language3.8/5
- Public Safety and Security3.3/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.2/5
- Psychology3.1/5
- Administration and Management2.7/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Typical entry education (BLS): Associate's degree.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma29%
- Bachelor's degree17%
- Some college12%
Who this job suits
Mostly Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Artistic
Creating, designing and self-expression
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.