Kindergarten teachers, except special education
Teach academic and social skills to kindergarten students.
Kindergarten teachers, except special education teach academic and social skills to kindergarten students. The role reports a median annual salary of $61,430 in the US and is showing modest growth of -2% over the next decade. Entry typically requires a Bachelor'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 Social Perceptiveness, Instructing, Active Listening, Monitoring, Learning Strategies.
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 Kindergarten 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
- Psychology
- Mathematics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Sociology and Anthropology
- Public Safety and Security
- Administrative
A day in the life
You start the day by setting out activity stations for early reading, counting and craft, then welcome the children with a morning song. The first lesson is a story read aloud, with pictures held up and questions that get the children guessing what happens next. Next you split the class into small groups, working closely with a few who are just learning to recognise letters while others practise writing their names. You keep things moving with clear routines, gently reminding children how to listen and take turns. After break you lead a hands-on activity with shapes and patterns, praising effort as much as answers. Through the day you quietly note how each child is doing, from pencil grip to making friends. In the afternoon you meet a parent worried about their child's behaviour. It is loud and tiring, but seeing children grow in confidence over a year is a wonderful reward.
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
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order among students.
- Prepare children for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
- Instruct students individually and in groups, adapting teaching methods to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- Teach basic skills, such as color, shape, number and letter recognition, personal hygiene, and social skills.
- Demonstrate activities to children.
- Read books to entire classes or to small groups.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Kindergarten teachers, except special education do?
Teach academic and social skills to kindergarten students.
What does a typical day look like in Kindergarten teachers, except special education?
You start the day by setting out activity stations for early reading, counting and craft, then welcome the children with a morning song. The first lesson is a story read aloud, with pictures held up and questions that get the children guessing what happens next. Next you split the class into small groups, working closely with a few who are just learning to recognise letters while others practise writing their names.
How much does Kindergarten teachers, except special education earn?
The median annual salary for Kindergarten teachers, except special education in the US is $61,430.
What is the job outlook for Kindergarten teachers, except special education?
The role is showing modest growth of -2% over the next decade. Current US employment is approximately 117,200 workers.
How do I become kindergarten teachers, except special education?
The typical entry education is a Bachelor's degree. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Kindergarten teachers, except special education need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Social Perceptiveness, Instructing, Active Listening, Monitoring, Learning Strategies, Speaking. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Kindergarten teachers, except special education?
Our AI-durability model gives Kindergarten 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?
Kindergarten teachers, except special education has moderate barrier to entry — moderately gated — a bachelor's degree or equivalent training is typically required.