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

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education fall under the Education, Training, and Library category in the U.S. occupational classification. Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education earn a median salary of $37,120 per year, ranking in the top 92% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +4.1% job growth through 2034, projected to grow at roughly the US average. 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 preschool teachers, except special education earn?

The median annual wage for preschool teachers, except special education is $37,120. That puts preschool teachers, except special education at #741 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. 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 preschool teachers, except special education a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for preschool teachers, except special education is +4.1%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 555K positions in 2024 to 578K in 2034, a net change of 23K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.

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

According to O*NET task surveys of working preschool 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.Serve meals and snacks in accordance with nutritional guidelines.
2. 2.Organize and lead activities designed to promote physical, mental, and social development, such as games, arts and crafts, music, storytelling, and field trips.
3. 3.Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
4. 4.Arrange indoor and outdoor space to facilitate creative play, motor-skill activities, and safety.
5. 5.Supervise, evaluate, and plan assignments for teacher assistants and volunteers.
6. 6.Administer tests to help determine children's developmental levels, needs, and potential.
7. 7.Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order.
8. 8.Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.

Top skills for preschool 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 preschool teachers, except special education?

The standard path into preschool 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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• Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary
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Common questions parents ask about preschool teachers, except special education