What Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education this way: "Teach academic and social skills to kindergarten students."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Teach basic skills, such as color, shape, number and letter recognition, personal hygiene, and social skills"; "Establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order among students"; "Observe and evaluate children's performance, behavior, social development, and physical health"; "Instruct students individually and in groups, adapting teaching methods to meet students' varying needs and interests"; "Read books to entire classes or to small groups".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is bachelor's degree.
Job outlook for Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 111,200 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 110,900 in 2035, a decrease of 300 jobs (-0.3%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 11,900 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 10.7% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $62,680, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education earn the most
Across the 2 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $75,082 in New Jersey to $75,956 in New York, a gap of $874 (1.01 times). 2 of those 2 states average above the BLS national median of $62,680 and 0 average at or below it.
New York employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 10,820, which is 50.6% of the 21,390 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 10,570.
Highest-paying states
New York ($75,956) and New Jersey ($75,082) lead the ranking, while New Jersey ($75,082) and New York ($75,956) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Occupations related to Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education belong to the same detailed SOC group. Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (25-2000) include Special Education Teachers, Secondary School, Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, Special Education Teachers, Middle School and Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education.
Frequently asked questions about Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education
How much do Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $62,680. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $75,082 to $75,956.
Which state pays Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education the most?
New York, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $75,956. New Jersey is next at $75,082.
Is Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to shrink by 0.3% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 11,900 openings a year.
What education do Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education need?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, according to BLS.