Care for and teach children before kindergarten, guiding play, early reading, and social skills through the day.
Preschools, daycare centers, and Head Start
Daytime hours, following the school calendar
May 2024–25 BLS wage data · 2024–34 BLS employment projections.
Openings a year counts new jobs plus the ones that open when people retire or move on — a truer picture of your odds than growth alone.
“Median” means half earn more and half earn less. Your city, employer, and years on the job move it a lot — that is what the 10th-to-90th range shows.
Associate degree
Training path: Associate's degree.
Some states require a state-issued license or certification to teach preschool.
Meaningful work with young kids that pays modestly — many do it for the children, not the wage.
Run the Reality Check — build the life you want and see the salary it takes, then compare it to this one.
Browse verified internships, fellowships, and programs — many paid — that lead into fields like this.
Free resume templates, interview practice, and getting-hired guides in the Careers kit.
Standard Occupational Classification 25-2011. Pay, employment, and outlook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wage survey and 2024–34 employment projections). See something off? Tell us.