Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education fall under the Education, Training, and Library category in the U.S. occupational classification. Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education earn a median salary of $61,430 per year, ranking in the top 46% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -1.6% job growth through 2034, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do kindergarten teachers, except special education earn?

The median annual wage for kindergarten teachers, except special education is $61,430. That puts kindergarten teachers, except special education at #371 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is kindergarten teachers, except special education a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for kindergarten teachers, except special education is -1.6%, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Employment is projected to move from approximately 117K positions in 2024 to 115K in 2034, a net change of -2K. A declining outlook does not mean the field is disappearing; it means automation, demographics, or substitution effects are shrinking the pool of openings. Students entering a declining field should plan for adjacent skills that transfer to growing roles.

What do kindergarten teachers, except special education do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working kindergarten teachers, except special education, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Demonstrate activities to children.
2. 2.Guide and counsel students with adjustment or academic problems or special academic interests.
3. 3.Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
4. 4.Assimilate arriving children to the school environment by greeting them, helping them remove outerwear, and selecting activities of interest to them.
5. 5.Collaborate with other teachers and administrators in the development, evaluation, and revision of kindergarten programs.
6. 6.Prepare for assigned classes and show written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisors.
7. 7.Supervise, evaluate, and plan assignments for teacher assistants and volunteers.
8. 8.Administer standardized ability and achievement tests and interpret results to determine children's developmental levels and needs.

Top skills for kindergarten teachers, except special education

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become kindergarten teachers, except special education?

The standard path into kindergarten teachers, except special education begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

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Common questions parents ask about kindergarten teachers, except special education