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.
π¬Career Video
π€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)
How we calculated this:
11% of tasks can be accelerated by AI
0% projected (2024-2034)
EPOCH score: 23/25
πKey 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.
π‘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 preparationβreviewing 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.
πCareer 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.
πEducation & 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
Ready to Start Your Career?
Find jobs and training programs for preschool & elementary teachers- Median salary: $63K/year
Find Jobs
Search positions from LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, and more. Get up to 50 relevant job listings with salary info.
- Real-time results
- Export to Excel
Find Training
Discover training programs, certifications, and educational resources to help you get started or advance your career.
- Local programs
- DOL verified
π»Technology Skills
βKey Abilities
π·οΈAlso Known As
πSpecializations
This career includes 14 specialized roles with different focuses and compensation levels.
| Specialization | Median Pay | AI Outlook | O*NET Code | Find Jobs | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $67,190 | π’ | 25-2059.01 | View details | ||
| $67,190 | π’ | 25-2059.00 | View details | ||
| $66,620 | π‘ | 25-2058.00 | View details | ||
| $66,600 | π‘ | 25-2057.00 | View details | ||
| $65,910 | π’ | 25-2056.00 | View details |
πRelated Careers
Other careers in education
πData Sources
Have feedback about this page?
Help us make this page better. Share your experience, correct errors, or suggest improvements.