Preschool, Elementary, Middle, Secondary, and Special Education Teachers

How to become a Preschool Teacher

Official title: Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education

Also called: Child Development Teacher, Early Childhood Teacher, Group Teacher, Infant Teacher, Montessori Preschool Teacher, Nursery Teacher, Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher), Teacher, Toddler Teacher

Instruct preschool-aged students, following curricula or lesson plans, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth.

Main tasks

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.
Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate, and use, both in learning activities and in imaginative play.
Serve meals and snacks in accordance with nutritional guidelines.
Attend to children's basic needs by feeding them, dressing them, and changing their diapers.
Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and needs, determine their priorities for their children, and suggest ways that they can promote learning and development.
Organize and lead activities designed to promote physical, mental, and social development, such as games, arts and crafts, music, storytelling, and field trips.

How to become one

Education and training requirements vary based on settings and state regulations. Preschool teachers typically need at least an associate's degree.

Typical education to start: Associate's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

Apprenticeship: Early Childhood Educator.
College: Education & Teaching degrees, Offered by 35 universities in the US
Certificate or associate's degree: Associate's degree. Programs such as Bilingual and Multilingual Education; Teacher Education, Multiple Levels; Montessori Teacher Education
Licence: A licence is required in 13 states.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $38,140 a year The middle half earn $34,530 to $47,550.
About 583,200 people work in this job now, and about 609,400 are projected by 2035. (+4.5%)
People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Preschool Teacher?

Education and training requirements vary based on settings and state regulations. Preschool teachers typically need at least an associate's degree.

How much does a Preschool Teacher earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $38,140 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $34,530 to $47,550.

Is a Preschool Teacher a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5% by 2035, from about 583,200 to about 609,400 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Preschool Teacher?

Not always. 54% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Education & Teaching degrees; Associate's degree; Early Childhood Educator.

Will AI change the work of a Preschool Teacher?

People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.