Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education
SOC code 25-2012 · O*NET-SOC 25-2012.00 · Considerable preparation needed · Education and library
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$62,680
a year
Hourly
—
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$69,370
— per hour
Middle 50%
$52,180 – $79,910
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$46,990 – $101,830
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
108,870
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $46,990
- —/hr
- 25th percentile
- $52,180
- —/hr
- Median percentile
- $62,680
- —/hr
- 75th percentile
- $79,910
- —/hr
- 90th percentile
- $101,830
- —/hr
What do kindergarten teachers, except special education do?
Teach academic and social skills to kindergarten students.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
- Guide and counsel students with adjustment or academic problems or special academic interests.
- Observe and evaluate children's performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 76% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree76%
- Master's Degree14%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate11%
Common questions
How much does a kindergarten teachers, except special education earn?
The national median is $62,680 a year. The full range runs from $46,990 at the 10th percentile to $101,830 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a kindergarten teachers, except special education without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Learning Strategies4.0/5
- Monitoring4.0/5
- Reading Comprehension3.9/5
Knowledge areas
- Education and Training4.7/5
- English Language4.6/5
- Psychology4.0/5
- Mathematics3.9/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.5/5
- Sociology and Anthropology3.3/5
- Public Safety and Security3.3/5
- Administrative3.3/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Instructing, Coordination, Time Management, Service Orientation.