Kindergarten Teacher Training and Jobs
Schools and Degrees
The traditional path for public school teachers includes obtaining a bachelor's degree from a teacher education program and obtaining a license. However, most states provide alterative paths to licensure for individuals who have earned a college degree in another subject.
Training and Education
A bachelor's degree is often necessary for working in the field. About 43% of kindergarten teachers have earned a degree. Some college, below a 4-year degree, is sufficient for 38% of workers. Employees with only a high school education represent about 20% of all.
Job Overview
Kindergarten teachers introduce children to numbers, letter recognition, phonics, shapes and colors. They use games, music, computers, books, artwork and other tools to teach children. Kindergarten teachers help kids learn to communicate and play with other children. They also help kids advance socially and mentally. Kindergarten teachers monitor and evaluate children's performance, behavior and physical health.
Job Requirements
Public schools usually require, at a minimum, a bachelor's degree and a license. Private schools usually require teachers to have a bachelor's degree but they don't have to be licensed.
Nature of Work
- Give kindergartners materials and resources they can use for learning activities, play and exploration
- Review with parents their child's progress
- Plan and oversee activities
- Provide children a simple review of science and nature
Area Job Conditions
Kindergarten teachers appear most common in Hinesville (Georgia), Merced (California), and Madera (California), and least common in Grand Rapids (Michigan), Honolulu (Hawaii), and Detroit (Michigan).
Nassau (New York), Yuba City (California), and Fresno (California) offer the highest pay. Virginia Beach (Virginia), Corvallis (Oregon), and Missoula (Montana) offer the lowest salaries.
Part-Time and Self Employment
Government statistics report that 25% of kindergarten teachers are employed part-time. Workers who work for themselves total about 1%.
Kindergarten Teachers by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Alabama
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn | $58,000 | 210 | +366% |
| Birmingham | $48,000 | 540 | -6% |
| Decatur | $52,000 | 180 | +224% |
| Dothan | $38,000 | 60 | -2% |
| Florence | $43,000 | 60 | +11% |
| Gadsden | $46,000 | 80 | +132% |
| Huntsville | $49,000 | 280 | +18% |
| Mobile | $47,000 | 190 | -5% |
| Tuscaloosa | $45,000 | 180 | +84% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff | $39,000 | 90 | +54% |
| Kingman | $37,000 | 60 | +24% |
| Phoenix | $42,000 | 1,860 | -11% |
| Prescott | $42,000 | 170 | +203% |
| Tucson | $37,000 | 750 | +89% |
| Yuma | $44,000 | 90 | +56% |
Arkansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $48,000 | 400 | +72% |
| Fort Smith | $41,000 | 280 | +106% |
| Hot Springs | $45,000 | 50 | +39% |
| Jonesboro | $40,000 | 100 | +110% |
| Little Rock | $46,000 | 580 | +44% |
| Pine Bluff | $43,000 | 100 | +237% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $65,000 | 820 | +174% |
| Chico | $56,000 | 110 | +49% |
| El Centro | $64,000 | 110 | +115% |
| Fresno | $57,000 | 680 | +84% |
| Los Angeles | $58,000 | 6,520 | +36% |
| Merced | $62,000 | 230 | +289% |
| Modesto | $70,000 | 440 | +152% |
| Napa | $54,000 | 110 | +67% |
| Oakland | $57,000 | 1,550 | +32% |
| Oxnard | $63,000 | 470 | +37% |
| Riverside | $60,000 | 3,430 | +141% |
| Sacramento | $53,000 | 1,460 | +43% |
| Salinas | $67,000 | 360 | +100% |
| San Diego | $59,000 | 1,620 | +5% |
| San Francisco | $63,000 | 1,020 | -13% |
| San Jose | $57,000 | 1,660 | +57% |
| San Luis Obispo | $66,000 | 160 | +59% |
| Santa Ana | $65,000 | 1,740 | +1% |
| Santa Barbara | $60,000 | 230 | +21% |
| Santa Cruz | $54,000 | 250 | +166% |
| Santa Rosa | $59,000 | 380 | +93% |
| Stockton | $56,000 | 820 | +243% |
| Vallejo | $59,000 | 290 | +118% |
| Visalia | $61,000 | 500 | +233% |
| Yuba City | $49,000 | 110 | +187% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $48,000 | 170 | -1% |
| Colorado Springs | $44,000 | 460 | +59% |
| Denver | $52,000 | 1,450 | -2% |
| Fort Collins | 170 | +22% | |
| Greeley | $41,000 | 190 | +146% |
| Pueblo | $42,000 | 110 | +86% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $73,000 | 440 | -12% |
| Danbury | $60,000 | 120 | +66% |
| Hartford | $59,000 | 510 | -24% |
| New Haven | $59,000 | 350 | +11% |
| Norwich | $57,000 | 170 | +25% |
| Waterbury | $65,000 | 40 | -44% |
Delaware
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $54,000 | 340 | -10% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $59,000 | 2,380 | -17% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Walton Beach | 140 | +71% | |
| Jacksonville | $46,000 | 1,030 | +46% |
| Orlando | $50,000 | 1,410 | +18% |
| Sebastian | $56,000 | 110 | +127% |
| Tallahassee | $55,000 | 240 | +32% |
| Tampa | $52,000 | 1,910 | +41% |
| West Palm Beach | 840 | +38% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $51,000 | 120 | +85% |
| Athens | $48,000 | 130 | +72% |
| Atlanta | $49,000 | 2,870 | +5% |
| Augusta | $53,000 | 330 | +41% |
| Brunswick | $54,000 | 70 | +69% |
| Columbus | $54,000 | 310 | +155% |
| Dalton | $51,000 | 130 | +81% |
| Hinesville | $51,000 | 40 | +230% |
| Macon | $45,000 | 150 | +53% |
| Savannah | $50,000 | 290 | +73% |
| Valdosta | $51,000 | 130 | +155% |
Hawaii
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $43,000 | 40 | -92% |
Idaho
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho Falls | $44,000 | 50 | +5% |
| Pocatello | $45,000 | 50 | +70% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | $45,000 | 90 | +20% |
| Champaign | $41,000 | 40 | -64% |
| Chicago | $48,000 | 2,920 | -34% |
| Danville | $40,000 | 40 | +52% |
| Decatur | $47,000 | 60 | +29% |
| Peoria | $44,000 | 190 | -2% |
| Rockford | $48,000 | 140 | -11% |
| Springfield | $48,000 | 160 | +35% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson | $46,000 | 60 | +58% |
| Bloomington | $46,000 | 90 | +21% |
| Elkhart | $48,000 | 170 | +43% |
| Evansville | $41,000 | 160 | -17% |
| Fort Wayne | $49,000 | 140 | -40% |
| Gary | $46,000 | 290 | -7% |
| Indianapolis | $49,000 | 580 | -45% |
| Kokomo | $43,000 | 40 | +3% |
| Lafayette | $51,000 | 80 | -1% |
| Michigan City | 60 | +45% | |
| Muncie | $45,000 | 40 | -14% |
| South Bend | $45,000 | 130 | -10% |
| Terre Haute | $48,000 | 70 | -3% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | $49,000 | 140 | -10% |
| Davenport | $49,000 | 200 | -6% |
| Des Moines | $51,000 | 260 | -32% |
| Iowa City | $43,000 | 50 | -34% |
| Sioux City | $39,000 | 80 | +3% |
| Waterloo | $44,000 | 40 | -57% |
Kansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence | $41,000 | 60 | +36% |
| Manhattan | $42,000 | 70 | +30% |
| Topeka | $48,000 | 150 | +23% |
| Wichita | $50,000 | 410 | +23% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington | $50,000 | 150 | -46% |
| Louisville | $53,000 | 570 | -20% |
| Owensboro | $50,000 | 60 | +24% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | $41,000 | 120 | +77% |
| Baton Rouge | $49,000 | 1,050 | +142% |
| Lake Charles | $45,000 | 150 | +57% |
| Monroe | $46,000 | 160 | +95% |
| New Orleans | $48,000 | 760 | +22% |
| Shreveport | $47,000 | 140 | -31% |
Maine
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor | $45,000 | 70 | +9% |
| Lewiston | $41,000 | 60 | +15% |
| Portland | $45,000 | 180 | -21% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $37,000 | 2,120 | +37% |
| Bethesda | $68,000 | 690 | +2% |
| Hagerstown | $46,000 | 140 | +32% |
| Salisbury | $57,000 | 110 | +98% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | $58,000 | 90 | -17% |
| Boston | $54,000 | 1,850 | -10% |
| Brockton | $58,000 | 120 | +23% |
| Framingham | $58,000 | 170 | -8% |
| Haverhill | $55,000 | 120 | +35% |
| Lawrence | $75,000 | 80 | +28% |
| Leominster | $57,000 | 50 | -2% |
| Lowell | $60,000 | 160 | +20% |
| New Bedford | $52,000 | 120 | +75% |
| Peabody | $61,000 | 170 | +52% |
| Pittsfield | $57,000 | 40 | +26% |
| Springfield | $59,000 | 340 | -1% |
| Taunton | $51,000 | 50 | +9% |
| Worcester | $60,000 | 310 | +7% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | $37,000 | 170 | -10% |
| Grand Rapids | $52,000 | 210 | -52% |
| Holland | $46,000 | 70 | -34% |
| Jackson | $50,000 | 30 | -40% |
| Kalamazoo | $54,000 | 40 | -74% |
| Lansing | $37,000 | 150 | -34% |
| Monroe | $60,000 | 50 | +37% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $55,000 | 150 | +4% |
| Mankato | $47,000 | 40 | -32% |
| Minneapolis | $54,000 | 2,070 | -2% |
| Rochester | $48,000 | 170 | +51% |
| St Cloud | $51,000 | 110 | +5% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport | $44,000 | 190 | +61% |
| Hattiesburg | $36,000 | 90 | +50% |
| Jackson | $42,000 | 310 | +6% |
| Pascagoula | $46,000 | 60 | +27% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson City | $37,000 | 50 | -37% |
| Joplin | $41,000 | 200 | +135% |
| Kansas City | $49,000 | 1,170 | -2% |
| Springfield | $48,000 | 170 | -22% |
| St Joseph | $39,000 | 40 | -24% |
| St Louis | $46,000 | 1,380 | -13% |
Montana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | $41,000 | 90 | -1% |
| Missoula | $51,000 | 70 | +29% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | 190 | +5% | |
| Omaha | $42,000 | 630 | +14% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | $42,000 | 950 | -5% |
| Reno | $25,000 | 130 | -40% |
New Hampshire
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | $48,000 | 60 | -47% |
| Nashua | $35,000 | 160 | +4% |
| Portsmouth | $46,000 | 60 | 0% |
| Rochester | $48,000 | 40 | -28% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | $53,000 | 160 | -2% |
| Camden | $55,000 | 1,080 | +75% |
| Edison | $61,000 | 1,390 | +15% |
| Newark | $59,000 | 1,110 | -6% |
| Trenton | $62,000 | 150 | -42% |
| Vineland | $59,000 | 90 | +43% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $60,000 | 620 | +38% |
| Farmington | $47,000 | 110 | +116% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $51,000 | 590 | +12% |
| Binghamton | $66,000 | 180 | +45% |
| Buffalo | $57,000 | 710 | +9% |
| Elmira | $54,000 | 60 | +57% |
| Glens Falls | $54,000 | 60 | +11% |
| Ithaca | $56,000 | 60 | +45% |
| Kingston | $65,000 | 70 | +10% |
| Nassau | $83,000 | 1,600 | +7% |
| New York | $73,000 | 6,720 | +9% |
| Poughkeepsie | $67,000 | 320 | +13% |
| Rochester | $56,000 | 520 | -12% |
| Syracuse | $56,000 | 230 | -37% |
| Utica | $53,000 | 190 | +37% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $43,000 | 150 | -25% |
| Burlington | $42,000 | 60 | +1% |
| Charlotte | $43,000 | 1,030 | +2% |
| Durham | $43,000 | 260 | -19% |
| Greensboro | $41,000 | 310 | -25% |
| Hickory | $37,000 | 170 | +3% |
| Raleigh | $44,000 | 620 | +2% |
| Rocky Mount | $38,000 | 60 | -1% |
| Winston Salem | $41,000 | 170 | -30% |
North Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | $43,000 | 80 | +16% |
| Fargo | $42,000 | 160 | +18% |
| Grand Forks | $42,000 | 70 | +41% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $57,000 | 250 | -33% |
| Canton | $46,000 | 90 | -52% |
| Cincinnati | $51,000 | 940 | -22% |
| Cleveland | $48,000 | 820 | -32% |
| Columbus | $49,000 | 1,040 | -4% |
| Dayton | $51,000 | 280 | -37% |
| Lima | $46,000 | 50 | -7% |
| Mansfield | $35,000 | 30 | -44% |
| Springfield | $49,000 | 50 | +2% |
| Steubenville | $38,000 | 80 | +91% |
| Toledo | $50,000 | 280 | -18% |
| Youngstown | $50,000 | 190 | -27% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawton | $39,000 | 100 | +143% |
| Oklahoma City | $38,000 | 490 | -28% |
| Tulsa | $48,000 | 610 | +21% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bend | $41,000 | 50 | -25% |
| Corvallis | $51,000 | 40 | +54% |
| Eugene | $48,000 | 140 | -11% |
| Medford | $48,000 | 190 | +128% |
| Portland | $44,000 | 1,150 | -5% |
| Salem | $44,000 | 220 | +31% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $52,000 | 350 | -13% |
| Altoona | $46,000 | 80 | +25% |
| Erie | $34,000 | 150 | +5% |
| Harrisburg | $55,000 | 290 | -22% |
| Johnstown | $48,000 | 70 | +19% |
| Lancaster | $55,000 | 240 | -11% |
| Lebanon | $55,000 | 30 | -35% |
| Philadelphia | $52,000 | 1,760 | -22% |
| Pittsburgh | $57,000 | 1,360 | +0% |
| Reading | $57,000 | 200 | +6% |
| Scranton | $58,000 | 380 | +26% |
| State College | $40,000 | 110 | +66% |
| Williamsport | $51,000 | 70 | +31% |
| York | $58,000 | 230 | +15% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $65,000 | 920 | +41% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson | $47,000 | 120 | +104% |
| Charleston | $56,000 | 320 | -4% |
| Columbia | $59,000 | 570 | +40% |
| Florence | $48,000 | 140 | +64% |
| Spartanburg | $50,000 | 270 | +111% |
| Sumter | $41,000 | 30 | -7% |
South Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $47,000 | 50 | -26% |
| Sioux Falls | $37,000 | 140 | -10% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $44,000 | 290 | +11% |
| Jackson | $42,000 | 100 | +62% |
| Johnson City | $45,000 | 120 | +56% |
| Kingsport | $48,000 | 220 | +63% |
| Knoxville | $45,000 | 490 | +26% |
| Memphis | $48,000 | 970 | +34% |
| Morristown | $41,000 | 70 | +50% |
| Nashville | $45,000 | 1,310 | +50% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene | $42,000 | 110 | +65% |
| Austin | $47,000 | 1,070 | +15% |
| Beaumont | $48,000 | 240 | +32% |
| Brownsville | $47,000 | 320 | +120% |
| College Station | $43,000 | 110 | +9% |
| Corpus Christi | $48,000 | 290 | +43% |
| Dallas | $50,000 | 2,700 | +9% |
| El Paso | $50,000 | 410 | +30% |
| Fort Worth | $52,000 | 610 | -40% |
| Houston | $50,000 | 3,760 | +21% |
| Killeen | $44,000 | 100 | -30% |
| Longview | $41,000 | 170 | +63% |
| Lubbock | $41,000 | 190 | +35% |
| Mcallen | $53,000 | 270 | +2% |
| San Antonio | $51,000 | 1,060 | +3% |
| Sherman | $42,000 | 40 | -4% |
| Texarkana | $41,000 | 110 | +95% |
| Tyler | $44,000 | 120 | +22% |
| Victoria | $47,000 | 70 | +42% |
| Waco | $41,000 | 90 | -18% |
| Wichita Falls | $41,000 | 60 | +4% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ogden | $36,000 | 70 | -69% |
| Salt Lake City | $42,000 | 300 | -58% |
Vermont
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $52,000 | 120 | -3% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg | 70 | +9% | |
| Charlottesville | $64,000 | 130 | +39% |
| Lynchburg | $47,000 | 40 | -63% |
| Richmond | $50,000 | 880 | +22% |
| Roanoke | $56,000 | 130 | -26% |
| Virginia Beach | $49,000 | 1,010 | +13% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | $51,000 | 50 | -37% |
| Mount Vernon | $51,000 | 60 | +33% |
| Olympia | $54,000 | 70 | -35% |
| Seattle | $52,000 | 900 | -46% |
| Spokane | $51,000 | 150 | -36% |
| Tacoma | $59,000 | 240 | -21% |
| Yakima | $50,000 | 70 | -23% |
West Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $45,000 | 170 | +4% |
| Huntington | $45,000 | 90 | -29% |
| Parkersburg | $47,000 | 130 | +80% |
| Wheeling | $48,000 | 100 | +45% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton | $51,000 | 170 | +34% |
| Eau Claire | $44,000 | 80 | +1% |
| Fond | $52,000 | 60 | +39% |
| Green Bay | $46,000 | 250 | +31% |
| La Crosse | $45,000 | 120 | +57% |
| Madison | $43,000 | 460 | +17% |
| Milwaukee | $49,000 | 580 | -41% |
| Oshkosh | $35,000 | 100 | +5% |
| Racine | $48,000 | 110 | +38% |
| Sheboygan | $45,000 | 60 | +3% |
*FOOTNOTES: Job Facts salary and numbers data is based on US Department of Labor Statistics data for 2011. Other data on page may be from earlier years. Typical salary is given as median salary, where 50% in the job make more and 50% less. Salary range is Job Hunt's estimates of typical starting salary as being at the 10th percentile of reported pay and typical top end salary, for the most senior workers, as being at the 90th. Job openings is an estimate of new jobs every year due to growth plus those leaving the field. Where NA is given data is not available. Suggested studies is based on Job Hunt research, suggesting a minimum degree level that is judged to offer the best opportunities for entry-level employment. This Kindergarten Teachers schools and career page was originally researched by CityTownInfo.com.