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Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education

Teaches and cares for young children before kindergarten.

Typical education to startAssociate's degree
Job outlook2025–2035: +5%
Median pay$38,140 a year (2025)
Interest codeSA Social, Artistic

Read the full guide

Preschool teachers plan play-based lessons, help young children learn letters, numbers and social skills, and talk with families. They work in child care centers, Head Start, pre-K programs and schools.

Open the preschool teacher guide

The guide checks the courses against your plan, with things to try each year. Free account needed.

High school courses that build toward it

  • Child Development · Career and Technical

    Builds teaching and training, which this job uses.

  • English 10 · English

    Builds reading and writing, which this job uses.

  • Physical Education · Health and PE

    Builds teaching and training, which this job uses.

  • Psychology · Social Studies

    Builds psychology, which this job uses.

  • Band · Arts

    Builds teaching and training, which this job uses.

  • German · World Language

    Builds reading and writing, which this job uses.

Ranked by how much the job relies on what each course teaches, from O*NET's knowledge ratings. Your school's own courses and the counselor have the final word.

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education on O*NET OnLine · O*NET 31.0 (U.S. Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0); BLS Employment Projections 2025.