Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Associate's degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Preschool teachers, except special education, support early childhood learning and development for young children. Nationally, about 555,000 people work in this field, indicating a sizable employment base. The typical education level is an associate’s degree, which can make this career accessible to those who want to enter the workforce relatively quickly. A national median annual salary of $37,120 reflects modest pay with opportunities to earn more in certain states and metro areas. Skills such as creativity and innovation, interpersonal abilities, speaking and listening, and adaptability are central to success in this role, along with leadership and physical stamina. Project management, writing and reading, critical and analytical thinking, and customer service skills also play an important part. Projected employment growth of 4.1% and 66,000 annual openings suggest a steady flow of opportunities for new entrants and career changers who are interested in working with young children in educational settings.
The national median annual salary for preschool teachers, except special education, is $37,120. However, pay varies significantly by location. Several states stand out with higher median salaries, including California at $47,400, New York at $46,520, Massachusetts at $45,890, Washington at $45,660, and Colorado at $45,500. Certain metro areas offer even higher median salaries, such as San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $53,810, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ at $50,230, and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA at $51,190. These figures indicate that earning potential can be stronger in specific regions, particularly in some large metropolitan areas. When evaluating this career, it can be helpful to consider both state and metro-level salary differences, since they may influence long-term financial planning, relocation decisions, and overall expectations for income growth within the field.
Preschool teachers, except special education, have a national employment base of about 555,000 workers. Projected employment growth of 4.1% indicates that jobs in this field are expected to expand over time. With approximately 66,000 annual openings, there is a consistent number of opportunities that may come from new positions, job changes, and workforce turnover. This combination of a large existing workforce and ongoing openings can be valuable for students and career changers who want reasonable prospects for entering the occupation. Growth of 4.1% is also reflected in several top states and metro areas, suggesting a relatively uniform projected increase across multiple regions. For individuals planning their career path, these figures highlight a field with steady hiring needs and a continuous flow of positions, which can support both initial entry into the profession and potential job moves within different locations over the course of a career.
Location plays a major role in opportunity for preschool teachers, except special education. Among states, California ranks strongly with a median salary of $47,400, employment of 55,700, growth of 4.1%, and an opportunity score of 67.38. Massachusetts and New York also pair higher salaries—$45,890 and $46,520—with solid employment levels of 18,710 and 23,870, and similar 4.1% growth, resulting in opportunity scores of 65.87 and 65.78. Washington and Colorado offer median salaries above $45,000 and opportunity scores in the mid-50s, indicating additional attractive markets. Metro data show even more variation. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ have very high opportunity scores of 77.42 and 77.27, with median salaries around or above $50,000. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA leads in salary at $53,810 and has an opportunity score of 68.75. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH combine solid pay with opportunity scores in the low-to-mid 60s, giving candidates multiple strong geographic choices.
The typical education level for preschool teachers, except special education, is an associate’s degree. This requirement can allow individuals to enter the field without completing a four-year program, while still gaining focused preparation for working with young children. Success in this career draws on a broad mix of skills. Creativity and innovation, along with strong interpersonal and speaking and listening abilities, support daily interactions in educational environments. Adaptability and leadership are important for handling changing situations and guiding groups of children. Physical strength and stamina are also highlighted, reflecting the active nature of the work. Customer service, writing and reading, and project management contribute to communicating effectively and organizing tasks. Critical and analytical thinking supports sound judgment and problem-solving. Together, the associate’s degree and this diverse skill set form a foundation for building a long-term career as a preschool teacher in a variety of locations and settings.
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