Preschool Teacher: Career Overview

Official government data · Updated April 2026

Preschool Teachers earn a national median of $37,120/yr with 4.1% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Education and Training, English Language, Public Safety and Security.

Median Salary

$37,120

National · 2024

10-Year Growth

4.1%

About as fast as average

Employed Nationally

445,080

2024 data

Typical Education

Associate's degree

Entry-level

What Employers Expect From a Preschool Teacher

These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Preschool Teacher candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:

1 Speaking 2 Instructing 3 Active Listening 4 Learning Strategies 5 Reading Comprehension 6 Critical Thinking 7 Monitoring 8 Social Perceptiveness 9 Coordination 10 Service Orientation

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge domains most important for Preschool Teacher performance, based on verified occupational data.

Education and Training English Language Public Safety and Security Customer and Personal Service Psychology

Job Outlook: 2024–2034

Employment is projected to grow 4.1% for Preschool Teacher roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's about as fast as average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.

Current Employment
445,080
Projected Growth
4.1%
Typical Education
Associate's degree

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Preschool Teacher do?
Preschool Teachers apply expertise in Education and Training, English Language, Public Safety and Security to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Speaking, Instructing, Active Listening, Learning Strategies.
How much does a Preschool Teacher make?
The national median salary for a Preschool Teacher is $37,120 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
Is Preschool Teacher a good career in 2026?
Employment for Preschool Teacher roles is projected to grow 4.1% over the 2024–2034 decade — about as fast as average compared to all occupations. There are currently 445,080 workers in this occupation nationally.
What education do you need to become a Preschool Teacher?
The typical entry-level education for a Preschool Teacher is Associate's degree. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
What skills do Preschool Teachers need?
The most important skills for Preschool Teacher roles based on verified occupational data: Speaking, Instructing, Active Listening, Learning Strategies, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Service Orientation.

Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?

Tap the skills that are currently on your resume.

Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.