The median pay for Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education is $62,680 a year, according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to fall 0.3% through 2035, with about 11,900 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 25-2012
- Educational Instruction and Library
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Kindergarten Teacher in four numbers
- Median pay
- $62,680a yearBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $47KTop 10% $102K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -0.3%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−0.3%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −0.3% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 11,900111,200 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025111.2K
- Projected 2035110.9K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 111.2K Projected 2035 110.9K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Bachelor's75.7%
- Post-bacc certificate10.5%
- Master's13.8%
Highest education held by kindergarten teachers, except special education Segment Value Bachelor's 75.7% Post-bacc certificate 10.5% Master's 13.8%
Also advertised as: Bilingual Kindergarten Teacher, Classroom Teacher, Educator, Instructor, Kinder Teacher, Kindergarten Classroom Teacher.
Pay
How much do Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education make?
Every kindergarten teacher in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$62,680
Middle half earn $52,180 to $79,910
- 10th
- $46,990
- 25th
- $52,180
- 75th
- $79,910
- 90th
- $101,830
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $46,990 |
| 25th | $52,180 |
| Median | $62,680 |
| 75th | $79,910 |
| 90th | $101,830 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $62,680
- Median hourly wage
- N/A
- Mean annual wage
- $69,370
- People employed
- 108,870
Versus all US occupations
At $62,680, Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education earn 23% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $11,700 a year.
Versus educational instruction and library occupations
Inside the Educational Instruction and Library group, where the middle occupation pays $68,270, this is 8% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $101,830 or more while the bottom 10% earn $46,990, a gap of 2.2×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 36% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Washington pays the most at $99,960, and still leads at $93,409 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Washington | $99,960 | $93,409 | 5,270 |
| 2Connecticut | $90,030 | $86,893 | 1,420 |
| 3Rhode Island | $85,470 | $83,565 | 360 |
| 4Massachusetts | $84,100 | $79,522 | 1,980 |
| 5California | $82,550 | $74,557 | 7,430 |
| 6District of Columbia | $81,500 | $74,158 | 180 |
| 7New York | $77,630 | $71,932 | 6,950 |
| 8Maryland | $75,910 | $72,323 | 1,560 |
| 9Minnesota | $75,500 | $76,556 | 2,840 |
| 10New Mexico | $74,380 | $80,662 | 950 |
Job outlook
Is Kindergarten Teacher a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -0.3% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | −0.3% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education to change -0.3% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 300 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 11,900 openings are projected each year, 10.7% of the 111,200 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of kindergarten and elementary school teachers is projected to decline 0 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Despite declining employment, about 99,400 openings for kindergarten and elementary school teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
The number of students enrolling in public kindergarten and elementary schools is expected to decrease over the projections decade. The increase in charter schools, private schools, and homeschooling options provides families with alternatives to traditional public schools, potentially leading to a shift in enrollment numbers.
Getting in
How to become a Kindergarten Teacher
Kindergarten and elementary school teachers usually must have a bachelor’s degree. In addition, public school teachers must have a state-issued certification or license.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as kindergarten teachers, except special education.
- Bachelor's Degree75.7%
- Master's Degree13.8%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate10.5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 75.7% |
| Master's Degree | 13.8% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 10.5% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Kindergarten Teacher do?
Teach academic and social skills to kindergarten students.
Kindergarten and elementary school teachers instruct young students in basic subjects, such as math and reading, in order to prepare them for middle school.
Day-to-day tasks
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order among students.
- 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.
- Observe and evaluate children's performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate, and use, both in learning activities and in imaginative play.
- Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Kindergarten and elementary school teachers generally work during school hours when students are present. They may meet with parents, students, and other teachers before and after school. They often spend time in the evenings and on weekends grading papers and preparing lessons.
Many kindergarten and elementary school teachers work the traditional 10-month school year and have a 2-month break during the summer. They also have a short midwinter break. Some teachers work during the summer.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where kindergarten teachers, except special education work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Elementary and secondary schools; local84%
- Elementary and secondary schools; private14%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Elementary and secondary schools; local | 84% |
| Elementary and secondary schools; private | 14% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Learning Strategies4.0
- Monitoring4.0
- Reading Comprehension3.9
- Writing3.3
- Critical Thinking3.3
- Active Learning3.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 4.0 |
| Learning Strategies | 4.0 |
| Monitoring | 4.0 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.9 |
| Writing | 3.3 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.3 |
| Active Learning | 3.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Social Perceptiveness4.1
- Instructing4.1
- Coordination3.9
- Time Management3.8
- Service Orientation3.6
- Judgment and Decision Making3.5
- Complex Problem Solving3.4
- Persuasion3.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Social Perceptiveness | 4.1 |
| Instructing | 4.1 |
| Coordination | 3.9 |
| Time Management | 3.8 |
| Service Orientation | 3.6 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.5 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.4 |
| Persuasion | 3.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Computer based training software
- Desktop communications software
- Multi-media educational software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Kindergarten Teacher?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Kindergarten Teacher |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 3 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 4 |
| Social | 7 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around teaching, helping and working directly with other people, combined with creating, designing and working without a fixed set of rules.
- Social7.0
- Artistic4.0
- Conventional3.8
- Investigative3.1
- Realistic2.7
- Enterprising2.5
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Kindergarten Teacher
O*NET related occupations
- Educational Instruction and Library
- Educational Instruction and Library
Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education
$38,140median a year
Most earn $29K to $61K
+4.5%Associate's - Educational Instruction and Library
Special Education Teacher, Kindergarten
$67,170median a year
Most earn $49K to $105K
−0.1%Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed - Educational Instruction and Library
- Educational Instruction and Library
Special Education Teacher, Elementary School
$67,170median a year
Most earn $49K to $105K
−0.1%Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed - Educational Instruction and Library
More educational instruction and library careers
Median annual pay, with kindergarten teachers, except special education highlighted
- Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Postsecondary$80,250
- Instructional Coordinator$77,440
- Special Education Teacher, Secondary School$74,260
- Librarian$68,270
- Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School$66,270
- Kindergarten Teacher$62,680
- Library Technician$44,580
- Tutor$43,350
- Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education$38,140
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Postsecondary | $80,250 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $77,440 |
| Special Education Teacher, Secondary School | $74,260 |
| Librarian | $68,270 |
| Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School | $66,270 |
| Kindergarten Teacher | $62,680 |
| Library Technician | $44,580 |
| Tutor | $43,350 |
| Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education | $38,140 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Kindergarten Teacher appears on
Questions
Kindergarten Teacher: frequently asked questions
How much do Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education make?
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education earn a median of $62,680 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 23% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. The middle half earn between $52,180 and $79,910. The top 10% earn $101,830 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Kindergarten Teacher?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 75.7% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Kindergarten Teacher a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 0.3% over 2025–2035, a loss of 300 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 11,900 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Kindergarten Teacher do?
Kindergarten and elementary school teachers instruct young students in basic subjects, such as math and reading, in order to prepare them for middle school. A core O*NET task: establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order among students. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Office suite software, Presentation software.
Which states pay Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education the most?
The highest state medians for Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education are Washington ($99,960), Connecticut ($90,030), Rhode Island ($85,470) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Kindergarten Teacher?
O*NET scores Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education highest on the Social, Artistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes teaching, helping and working directly with other people with creating, designing and working without a fixed set of rules. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ENFJ, ESFP, ESFJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.