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Preschool & Elementary Teachers

These professionals educate students from preschool through high school, teaching academic subjects, social skills, and life skills in traditional classrooms or specialized settings. They work with diverse student populations, including those with special needs, adapting their teaching methods and materials to meet varying learning styles and abilities. Career opportunities span from early childhood education to secondary school instruction, including specialized roles in career/technical education and adaptive physical education.

Median Annual Pay
$62,517
Range: $28,200 - $135,170
Training Time
4-5 years
AI Resilience
🟑AI-Augmented
Education
Bachelor's degree

🎬Career Video

πŸ€–AI Resilience Assessment

AI Resilience Score

Score 5/6: low AI task exposure, strong human advantage provides strong protection from AI displacement (estimated from legacy data)

🟒AI-Resilient

How we calculated this:

AI Exposure
Low+2

11% of tasks can be accelerated by AI

Job Growth
Stable+1

0% projected (2024-2034)

Human Advantage
Strong+2

EPOCH score: 23/25

Total Score5/6
Methodology: v2.0 - GPTs are GPTs / BLS / EPOCH Additive ScoringUpdated: 2026-01-09

πŸ“‹Key Responsibilities

  • β€’Teach basic skills, such as color, shape, number and letter recognition, personal hygiene, and social skills.
  • β€’Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order.
  • β€’Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
  • β€’Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate, and use, both in learning activities and in imaginative play.
  • β€’Serve meals and snacks in accordance with nutritional guidelines.
  • β€’Attend to children's basic needs by feeding them, dressing them, and changing their diapers.
  • β€’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.
  • β€’Organize and lead activities designed to promote physical, mental, and social development, such as games, arts and crafts, music, storytelling, and field trips.

πŸ’‘Inside This Career

Preschool and elementary teachers spend their days creating dynamic learning environments where young minds flourish and grow. A typical day begins with careful preparationβ€”reviewing lesson plans, arranging materials, and setting up classroom spaces that will engage students ranging from toddlers to teenagers. Teachers facilitate learning through diverse approaches, from hands-on activities and interactive games for younger children to structured discussions and project-based learning for older students. They guide students through foundational skills like reading, writing, and mathematics, while also fostering critical thinking, creativity, and social-emotional development. Throughout the day, teachers continuously assess student progress, adapting their instruction to meet individual learning needs and styles.

The collaborative nature of education means these professionals work closely with colleagues, specialists, and families to support each student's success. They participate in team meetings with other teachers, collaborate with special education specialists, and maintain regular communication with parents and caregivers. Many teachers also supervise playground activities, cafeteria time, or after-school programs. Their work extends beyond classroom hours as they grade assignments, prepare materials, attend professional development sessions, and plan engaging lessons that align with curriculum standards.

Whether working in traditional public schools, private institutions, specialized programs, or alternative educational settings, these educators balance multiple responsibilities throughout their day. They serve as instructors, mentors, and advocates, creating safe and inclusive environments where all students can learn and thrive. Each day brings new challenges and opportunities as they witness the remarkable growth and development of the young people in their care.

πŸ“ˆCareer Progression

What does this mean?

This shows how earnings typically grow with experience. Entry level represents starting salaries, while Expert shows top earners (90th percentile). Most workers reach mid-career earnings within 5-10 years. Figures are national averages and vary by location and employer.

1
Entry (10th %ile)
0-2 years experience
$28,200
$25,380 - $31,020
2
Early Career (25th %ile)
2-6 years experience
$41,927
$37,734 - $46,120
3
Mid-Career (Median)
5-15 years experience
$62,517
$56,265 - $68,769
4
Experienced (75th %ile)
10-20 years experience
$98,844
$88,960 - $108,728
5
Expert (90th %ile)
15-30 years experience
$135,170
$121,653 - $148,687

πŸ“šEducation & Training

Requirements

  • β€’Entry Education: Bachelor's degree
  • β€’Experience: Several years
  • β€’On-the-job Training: Several years
  • !License or certification required

Time & Cost

Education Duration
4-5 years (typically 4)
Estimated Education Cost
$41,796 - $156,060
Public (in-state):$41,796
Public (out-of-state):$86,508
Private nonprofit:$156,060
Source: college board (2024)
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πŸ’»Technology Skills

Educational apps (Seesaw, ClassDojo)Microsoft OfficeParent communication apps (Bloomz)Assessment toolsInteractive learning softwareInteractive learning toolsParent communication appsLearning management systems (Google Classroom, Canvas)Educational apps (ClassDojo, Seesaw)Interactive whiteboard softwareVideo conferencingEducational apps (Kahoot, Quizlet)Video conferencing (Zoom)Learning management systemsIndustry-specific software

⭐Key Abilities

β€’Oral Comprehension
β€’Oral Expression
β€’Speech Clarity
β€’Problem Sensitivity
β€’Originality
β€’Written Comprehension
β€’Fluency of Ideas
β€’Speech Recognition
β€’Deductive Reasoning
β€’Information Ordering

🏷️Also Known As

Preschool & Elementary TeachersAfter School TeacherChild Care Assistant TeacherChild Development TeacherChildcare TeacherChildhood Development TeacherDay Care TeacherDaycare TeacherEarly Childhood EducatorEarly Childhood Teacher+20 more

πŸ“‘Specializations

This career includes 14 specialized roles with different focuses and compensation levels.

πŸ”—Related Careers

Other careers in education

πŸ”—Data Sources

Last updated: 2026-01-09

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