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Preschool Teachers

Pre-School Teacher Training and Jobs


Schools and Degrees

A bachelor’s degree is not an essential requirement but is useful in order to become a preschool teacher.

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Training and Education

Education or job training for employees typically involves a postsecondary vocational award. At least 43% of pre-school teachers had a degree of four or more years. About 38% of workers had some college below a bachelor's degree. An estimated 20% of employees had just a high-school diploma.


Job Overview

Preschool teachers play a very key role in some of the most essential years of a child’s development. They teach primary skills to children using music, computers, art, painting, games and films. They also introduce children to subjects like language, mathematics, social studies and science.


Job Requirements

It is important for preschool teachers to pass an approved teachers training program. Training in technology is also required in certain states. Some states also require teachers to obtain a master’s degree. The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher education and the Teacher Education Accreditation council accredits education programs for teachers. This helps aspiring teachers fulfill licensure needs. In many places there are professional development schools where aspiring preschool teachers can study after finishing their graduation.

Licensing requirements for preschool teachers differs from state to state. The specifications to become a public school teacher are more rigorous than for private preschool teachers. Preschool teachers can opt for one of the most common types of credentials – The Child Development Associate credential.

Preschool teachers need to be able to arouse faith and confidence. They need to not only understand the educational needs of their students, but their emotional requirements as well. They should not differentiate between any students and should know how to address the different needs of each student. Being organized and patient is important for a preschool teacher.


Nature of Work

Preschool teachers make use of children’s basic liking for games and play. They use methods of storytelling, acting and rhyming to develop a child’s social skills and vocabulary. They teach lessons in small groups and use step by step methods of teaching. They also introduce a child to simple mathematical and scientific concepts.

Teachers work in classrooms and spend the time with the students in order to teach them. They generally work for forty hours a week and have about three months off over the summer and for holidays. Sometimes their work may be stressful while dealing with a large number of students and while handling difficult students.p>


Area Job Conditions

The cities with the most pre-school teachers per capita are Greenville (North Carolina), Yuba City (California), and Rochester (New Hampshire), while the worst cities are Anderson (South Carolina), Mobile (Alabama), and Columbia (South Carolina).

The highest salaries for workers are in and around Napa (California), Vineland (New Jersey), and Owensboro (Kentucky). The lowest-paying areas are Kingsport (Tennessee), Clarksville (Tennessee), and Shreveport (Louisiana).


Part-Time and Self Employment

An estimated 25% of pre-school teachers work part-time. An estimated 1% of workers were self-employed.


Career Videos


Pre-School 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 $24,000 150 +39%
Birmingham $24,000 330 -76%
Florence $21,000 30 -77%
Montgomery $26,000 430 -3%
Tuscaloosa $29,000 100 -57%

Alaska

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Anchorage $30,000 230 -49%

Arizona

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Flagstaff $28,000 120 -15%
Kingman $21,000 130 +12%
Phoenix $28,000 4,370 -12%
Prescott $19,000 190 +41%
Tucson $25,000 1,240 +30%
Yuma $25,000 180 +30%

Arkansas

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Fayetteville $29,000 650 +17%
Fort Smith $29,000 200 -39%
Hot Springs $21,000 130 +51%
Jonesboro $28,000 250 +119%
Little Rock $24,000 1,580 +64%
Pine Bluff $30,000 100 +41%

California

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Bakersfield $28,000 750 +4%
Chico $23,000 480 +171%
El Centro $27,000 150 +22%
Fresno $25,000 990 +12%
Hanford $26,000 80 -1%
Los Angeles $31,000 11,820 +3%
Madera $29,000 160 +113%
Merced $31,000 130 -8%
Modesto $29,000 510 +22%
Napa $33,000 180 +14%
Oakland $33,000 4,540 +61%
Oxnard $35,000 1,070 +30%
Riverside $28,000 3,960 +16%
Sacramento $27,000 3,050 +25%
Salinas $41,000 370 -14%
San Diego $31,000 3,470 -6%
San Francisco $36,000 3,380 +20%
San Jose $33,000 3,150 +24%
San Luis Obispo $25,000 250 +3%
Santa Ana $32,000 3,970 -4%
Santa Barbara $33,000 360 -21%
Santa Cruz $31,000 360 +60%
Santa Rosa $33,000 410 -13%
Stockton $28,000 940 +64%
Vallejo $29,000 270 -15%
Visalia $30,000 270 -25%
Yuba City $32,000 190 +107%

Colorado

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Boulder $41,000 1,000 +142%
Colorado Springs $29,000 590 -15%
Denver $30,000 2,360 -33%
Fort Collins $27,000 350 +5%
Grand Junction $28,000 120 -16%
Greeley $30,000 300 +62%
Pueblo $24,000 150 +6%

Connecticut

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Bridgeport $31,000 2,280 +91%
Danbury $28,000 290 +67%
Hartford $29,000 2,230 +38%
New Haven $29,000 940 +25%
Norwich $36,000 270 -17%
Waterbury $39,000 210 +22%

Delaware

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Dover $22,000 250 +96%
Wilmington $27,000 1,520 +68%

District of Columbia

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Washington $31,000 7,370 +7%

Florida

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Cape Coral $25,000 460 -13%
Fort Lauderdale $25,000 2,770 +41%
Fort Walton Beach $23,000 290 +48%
Jacksonville $23,000 1,730 +2%
Lakeland $26,000 490 -5%
Miami $29,000 2,170 -22%
Naples $28,000 330 +12%
Ocala $26,000 190 -17%
Orlando $26,000 2,070 -28%
Palm Bay $22,000 680 +26%
Panama City $20,000 170 -3%
Pensacola $23,000 480 +20%
Port St Lucie $25,000 230 -27%
Sarasota $29,000 560 -17%
Sebastian $24,000 130 +12%
Tallahassee $37,000 220 -50%
Tampa $24,000 2,380 -26%
West Palm Beach $28,000 1,680 +15%

Georgia

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Albany $30,000 280 +80%
Athens $20,000 220 +22%
Atlanta $28,000 8,080 +23%
Augusta $27,000 590 +5%
Brunswick $24,000 180 +81%
Columbus $22,000 420 +44%
Gainesville $21,000 270 +52%
Macon $27,000 260 +10%
Savannah $26,000 610 +52%
Valdosta $32,000 100 -18%
Warner Robins $24,000 270 +103%

Hawaii

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Honolulu $32,000 1,130 -8%

Idaho

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Boise $19,000 390 -46%
Idaho Falls $22,000 140 +22%

Illinois

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Bloomington $25,000 530 +196%
Chicago $30,000 10,700 +0%
Danville $26,000 110 +74%
Decatur $27,000 150 +35%
Kankakee $25,000 90 -9%
Peoria $25,000 520 +12%
Rockford $25,000 220 -42%
Springfield $28,000 250 -12%

Indiana

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Anderson $22,000 50 -45%
Bloomington $25,000 110 -38%
Columbus $25,000 80 -12%
Elkhart $24,000 90 -68%
Fort Wayne $24,000 570 +2%
Gary $25,000 920 +24%
Indianapolis $25,000 1,750 -31%
Kokomo $29,000 60 -36%
Lafayette $25,000 130 -33%
Michigan City $30,000 90 -9%
Muncie $23,000 100 -10%
South Bend $28,000 390 +13%

Iowa

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Ames $22,000 100 +12%
Davenport $24,000 440 -13%
Des Moines $32,000 940 +3%
Dubuque $23,000 110 -17%
Sioux City $24,000 100 -46%
Waterloo $25,000 190 -15%

Kansas

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Lawrence $37,000 140 +33%
Topeka $36,000 210 -28%
Wichita $35,000 220 -72%

Kentucky

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Bowling Green $35,000 60 -57%
Lexington $28,000 490 -26%
Louisville $24,000 1,860 +9%
Owensboro $48,000 40 -66%

Louisiana

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Alexandria $24,000 220 +35%
Baton Rouge $22,000 1,090 +5%
Lafayette $22,000 480 +25%
Lake Charles $24,000 130 -43%
Monroe $27,000 120 -39%
New Orleans $30,000 550 -63%
Shreveport $23,000 390 -20%

Maryland

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Baltimore $28,000 3,700 0%
Bethesda $33,000 2,240 +38%
Cumberland $34,000 100 +13%
Hagerstown $32,000 190 -25%
Salisbury $29,000 220 +65%

Massachusetts

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Barnstable Town $34,000 350 +34%
Boston $36,000 6,290 +27%
Brockton $34,000 710 +203%
Framingham $35,000 630 +43%
Haverhill $29,000 450 +112%
Lawrence $31,000 210 +40%
Leominster $28,000 160 +31%
Lowell $32,000 750 +135%
New Bedford $28,000 300 +83%
Peabody $33,000 360 +34%
Pittsfield $25,000 180 +136%
Springfield $28,000 1,170 +41%
Taunton $30,000 200 +83%
Worcester $32,000 920 +33%

Michigan

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Ann Arbor $31,000 170 -63%
Battle Creek $25,000 170 +33%
Bay City $41,000 50 -35%
Detroit $33,000 1,180 -37%
Grand Rapids $27,000 460 -56%
Holland $25,000 260 +3%
Jackson $32,000 120 +0%
Kalamazoo $27,000 310 -15%
Lansing $37,000 260 -52%
Muskegon $28,000 140 +0%
Niles $38,000 60 -59%
Warren $33,000 1,630 -47%

Minnesota

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Duluth $35,000 430 +24%
Mankato $38,000 120 -15%
Minneapolis $32,000 5,120 +1%
Rochester $30,000 240 -11%
St Cloud $25,000 330 +32%

Mississippi

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Gulfport $25,000 260 -8%
Hattiesburg $20,000 170 +18%
Jackson $21,000 700 +0%
Pascagoula $22,000 130 +15%

Missouri

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Columbia $23,000 480 +132%
Jefferson City $19,000 240 +26%
Joplin $26,000 150 -26%
Kansas City $27,000 2,170 -24%
Springfield $21,000 320 -39%
St Louis $25,000 4,570 +21%

Montana

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Great Falls $21,000 100 +14%

Nebraska

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Lincoln $29,000 320 -26%
Omaha $26,000 1,220 -8%

Nevada

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Carson City $26,000 40 -33%
Las Vegas $26,000 1,420 -41%
Reno $25,000 480 -8%

New Hampshire

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Manchester $26,000 640 +135%
Nashua $26,000 730 +98%
Portsmouth $27,000 160 +11%
Rochester $36,000 380 +184%

New Jersey

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Atlantic City $31,000 230 -41%
Camden $33,000 1,350 -9%
Edison $31,000 2,900 0%
Newark $37,000 3,260 +15%
Ocean City $44,000 30 -70%
Trenton $32,000 830 +33%
Vineland $42,000 140 -7%

New Mexico

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Albuquerque $32,000 410 -62%
Farmington $25,000 90 -26%
Las Cruces $40,000 100 -38%
Santa Fe $32,000 110 -30%

New York

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Albany $29,000 1,190 -6%
Binghamton $30,000 440 +47%
Buffalo $33,000 1,350 -13%
Elmira $30,000 90 -2%
Glens Falls $23,000 190 +46%
Ithaca $29,000 130 +31%
Kingston $31,000 220 +45%
Nassau $31,000 4,320 +20%
New York $44,000 19,730 +33%
Poughkeepsie $28,000 880 +29%
Rochester $27,000 1,950 +37%
Syracuse $24,000 830 -5%
Utica $30,000 240 -28%

North Carolina

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Asheville $24,000 540 +12%
Burlington $19,000 240 +69%
Charlotte $23,000 3,280 +35%
Durham $25,000 1,290 +69%
Fayetteville $20,000 640 +90%
Goldsboro $18,000 140 +43%
Greensboro $23,000 1,060 +7%
Greenville $21,000 430 +150%
Hickory $22,000 380 -4%
Jacksonville $18,000 210 +103%
Raleigh $23,000 3,070 +111%
Rocky Mount $21,000 180 +24%
Wilmington $20,000 570 +56%
Winston Salem $22,000 630 +9%

North Dakota

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Fargo $30,000 180 -45%
Grand Forks $28,000 40 -66%

Ohio

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Akron $24,000 820 -8%
Canton $24,000 280 -38%
Cincinnati $24,000 3,750 +31%
Cleveland $23,000 3,890 +34%
Columbus $24,000 3,630 +39%
Dayton $23,000 1,260 +18%
Mansfield $29,000 80 -38%
Sandusky $25,000 50 -40%
Springfield $22,000 110 -7%
Steubenville $33,000 80 -20%
Toledo $25,000 950 +16%
Youngstown $20,000 640 +3%

Oklahoma

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Lawton $28,000 220 +123%
Oklahoma City $26,000 1,550 -5%
Tulsa $27,000 1,000 -17%

Oregon

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Bend $24,000 280 +75%
Corvallis $24,000 120 +92%
Eugene $25,000 660 +75%
Medford $25,000 290 +45%
Portland $25,000 3,140 +8%
Salem $26,000 590 +47%

Pennsylvania

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Allentown $22,000 890 -8%
Altoona $22,000 90 -41%
Erie $26,000 500 +46%
Harrisburg $21,000 420 -53%
Lancaster $26,000 490 -24%
Philadelphia $27,000 4,690 -13%
Pittsburgh $24,000 1,530 -53%
Reading $32,000 360 -20%
Scranton $27,000 480 -34%
State College $24,000 210 +32%
York $26,000 530 +10%

Rhode Island

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Providence $29,000 2,220 +41%

South Carolina

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Anderson $32,000 40 -72%
Charleston $22,000 570 -29%
Columbia $23,000 420 -57%
Greenville $21,000 590 -29%
Spartanburg 190 -38%

South Dakota

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Rapid City $28,000 110 -32%
Sioux Falls $26,000 330 -12%

Tennessee

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Chattanooga $29,000 800 +28%
Clarksville $27,000 160 -21%
Cleveland $23,000 110 +35%
Jackson $23,000 300 +103%
Johnson City $31,000 120 -35%
Kingsport $24,000 280 -13%
Knoxville $23,000 970 +4%
Memphis $23,000 1,820 +5%
Morristown $27,000 150 +34%
Nashville $27,000 2,360 +13%

Texas

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Austin $27,000 2,370 +7%
Beaumont $23,000 590 +35%
Brownsville $43,000 330 -5%
Corpus Christi $24,000 490 +1%
Dallas $29,000 3,850 -35%
El Paso $26,000 1,050 +39%
Fort Worth $29,000 2,400 -2%
Houston $28,000 6,390 -15%
Killeen $31,000 500 +45%
Laredo $37,000 280 +38%
Longview $29,000 230 -8%
Lubbock $24,000 340 +1%
Mcallen $48,000 590 -7%
Midland $26,000 170 +7%
Odessa $26,000 170 +20%
San Antonio $28,000 1,670 -32%
Texarkana $24,000 220 +62%
Tyler $27,000 200 -15%
Victoria $43,000 90 -24%
Waco $24,000 220 -16%
Wichita Falls $29,000 140 +1%

Utah

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Ogden $22,000 210 -61%
Provo $26,000 200 -57%

Vermont

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Burlington $32,000 170 -43%

Virginia

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Blacksburg $25,000 260 +70%
Charlottesville $33,000 260 +16%
Danville $24,000 70 -14%
Harrisonburg $20,000 160 +14%
Lynchburg $26,000 190 -27%
Richmond $26,000 1,460 -16%
Roanoke $29,000 350 -17%
Virginia Beach $27,000 2,150 +0%
Winchester $28,000 90 -27%

Washington

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Bellingham $28,000 110 -42%
Bremerton $30,000 190 -12%
Kennewick $25,000 200 -24%
Longview $29,000 70 -10%
Mount Vernon $28,000 90 -17%
Olympia $26,000 220 -15%
Seattle $31,000 2,680 -33%
Tacoma $26,000 860 +17%
Yakima $26,000 410 +89%

West Virginia

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Charleston $28,000 190 -52%
Huntington $26,000 230 -24%
Morgantown $27,000 200 +51%
Parkersburg $28,000 100 -42%
Wheeling $26,000 190 +15%

Wisconsin

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Appleton $34,000 400 +31%
Eau Claire $21,000 320 +69%
Fond $21,000 140 +35%
Green Bay $34,000 640 +40%
Janesville $21,000 290 +81%
La Crosse $31,000 150 -18%
Madison $26,000 1,140 +21%
Milwaukee $23,000 3,150 +34%
Oshkosh $20,000 250 +9%
Racine $22,000 320 +67%
Sheboygan $23,000 130 -7%
Wausau $21,000 230 +37%

Wyoming

City and Area Median Salary Employees Job Density
Casper $28,000 60 -31%
*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 Preschool Teachers schools and career page was originally researched by CityTownInfo.com.