What Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education this way: "Instruct preschool-aged students, following curricula or lesson plans, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate, and use, both in learning activities and in imaginative play"; "Attend to children's basic needs by feeding them, dressing them, and changing their diapers"; "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"; "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 associate's degree.
Job outlook for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 583,200 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 609,400 in 2035, an increase of 26,200 jobs (+4.5%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 66,700 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 11.4% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $38,140, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education earn the most
Across the 17 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $33,421 in Texas to $48,386 in New York, a gap of $14,965 (1.45 times). 13 of those 17 states average above the BLS national median of $38,140 and 4 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 55,240, which is 12.0% of the 460,860 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 46,460.
Highest-paying states
New York ($48,386), California ($47,972) and New Jersey ($45,446) lead the ranking, while Texas ($33,421) and Florida ($35,834) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education: pay against the cost of living
We compare 21 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Jefferson County, WV (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV) at $16,957. The weakest market is Miami-Dade County, FL, where the basics cost $1,454 more than take-home pay.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 18 of the 21 markets and falls short in 3. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 34.4% and 81.2% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
Kindergarten 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 Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
What is the national median wage for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $38,140. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $33,421 to $48,386.
Which state pays Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education the most?
New York, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $48,386. California is next at $47,972.
What is the job outlook for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education?
BLS projects employment to grow by 4.5% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 66,700 openings a year.
What education do Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education need?
The typical entry-level education is associate's degree, according to BLS.
Where can Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Jefferson County, WV leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $16,957 on a median wage of $44,660.