Preschool teachers, except special education
Instruct preschool-aged students, following curricula or lesson plans, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth.
Preschool teachers, except special education instruct preschool-aged students, following curricula or lesson plans, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth. The role reports a median annual salary of $37,120 in the US and is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Entry typically requires a Associate's degree, and shows low AI exposure (0.32 on a 0-1 scale) — the role's core work resists automation. The most in-demand skills for the role include Instructing, Speaking, Learning Strategies, Active Listening, Coordination.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £37,593 a year for Nursery education teaching professionals (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 2315). ONS rates this estimate acceptable: it rests on a small sample, so treat it as a rough guide. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Professionals” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Preschool teachers, except special education, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 2. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
How to get here in India
No single fixed route is listed for this career. These Indian degrees lead to it, according to the US CIP–SOC education-to-occupation crosswalk; open a degree for its entrance exams and colleges.[1]
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Education (B.Ed) — B.Ed (two years, after a bachelor's degree)
Entrance exams: NCET, Rajasthan PTET, UP B.Ed JEE, MAH B.Ed CET
Rules change: check the exam body's and regulator's current notice before you apply.
- CIP 2020 – SOC 2018 crosswalk (NCES / BLS) (read on 2026-09-27)
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Customer and Personal Service
- Psychology
- Administration and Management
- Administrative
- Sociology and Anthropology
A day in the life
You arrive before the children to set up the room: a painting table, a corner full of blocks, picture books and a basket of shapes for counting games. As the children arrive you greet each one by name and help a tearful newcomer settle in. The morning moves in short bursts: circle time with songs and stories, then small-group activities where children sort colours, match letters and build towers. You keep simple rules clear and calm, helping two children take turns instead of grabbing. At snack time you serve a healthy meal, help little ones wash their hands and wipe a few spills. After an outdoor play session you lead a quiet activity so the group can rest. At pick-up you chat with parents about their child's progress. The noise and constant attention are exhausting, but watching a shy child say their first sentence to the group makes every day special.
In India: In India this usually means teaching in a nursery, playschool or pre-primary class attached to a school, or in a government pre-school centre, where classes are often larger and days may include rhymes and stories in more than one language.
Illustrative: one typical day, written from the O*NET task statements for this occupation. Real days vary by employer and seniority.
What you'd actually do
- 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.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Preschool teachers, except special education do?
Instruct preschool-aged students, following curricula or lesson plans, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth.
What does a typical day look like in Preschool teachers, except special education?
You arrive before the children to set up the room: a painting table, a corner full of blocks, picture books and a basket of shapes for counting games. As the children arrive you greet each one by name and help a tearful newcomer settle in. The morning moves in short bursts: circle time with songs and stories, then small-group activities where children sort colours, match letters and build towers. You keep simple rules clear and calm, helping two children take turns instead of grabbing.
How much does Preschool teachers, except special education earn?
The median annual salary for Preschool teachers, except special education in the US is $37,120.
What is the job outlook for Preschool teachers, except special education?
The role is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Current US employment is approximately 555,100 workers.
How do I become preschool teachers, except special education?
The typical entry education is a Associate's degree. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Preschool teachers, except special education need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Instructing, Speaking, Learning Strategies, Active Listening, Coordination, Social Perceptiveness. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Preschool teachers, except special education?
Our AI-durability model gives Preschool teachers, except special education a score of 0.32 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at low AI exposure — the role's core work resists current-generation automation. It's a comparatively AI-durable choice within its field.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Preschool teachers, except special education has moderate barrier to entry — moderately gated — a bachelor's degree or equivalent training is typically required.