Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Communicating clearly through speech while listening carefully to understand others.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Kindergarten and elementary school teachers usually must have at least a bachelor’s degree. In addition, public school teachers must have a state-issued certification or license. PayThe median annual wage for elementary school teachers, except special education was $63,970 in May 2025.The median annual wage for kindergarten teachers, except special education was $62,680 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of kindergarten and elementary school teachers is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 99,400 openings for kindergarten and elementary school teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for kindergarten and elementary school teachers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of kindergarten and elementary school teachers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about kindergarten and elementary school teachers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for elementary school teachers, except special education was $63,970 in May 2025.The median annual wage for kindergarten teachers, except special education was $62,680 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of kindergarten and elementary school teachers is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 99,400 openings for kindergarten and elementary school teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for kindergarten and elementary school teachers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of kindergarten and elementary school teachers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about kindergarten and elementary school teachers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of kindergarten and elementary school teachers is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 99,400 openings for kindergarten and elementary school teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for kindergarten and elementary school teachers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of kindergarten and elementary school teachers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about kindergarten and elementary school teachers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Kindergarten and elementary school teachers instruct young students in basic subjects in order to prepare them for future schooling.
Work Environment
Kindergarten and elementary school teachers work in public and private schools. They generally work during school hours when students are present and use nights and weekends to prepare lessons and grade papers. Most kindergarten and elementary school teachers do not work during the summer.
How to Become a Kindergarten or Elementary School Teacher
Kindergarten and elementary school teachers usually must have at least a bachelor’s degree. In addition, public school teachers must have a state-issued certification or license.
Pay
The median annual wage for elementary school teachers, except special education was $63,970 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for kindergarten teachers, except special education was $62,680 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of kindergarten and elementary school teachers is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.
Despite limited employment growth, about 99,400 openings for kindergarten and elementary school teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for kindergarten and elementary school teachers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of kindergarten and elementary school teachers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about kindergarten and elementary school teachers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Kindergarten and elementary school teachers work in public and private schools. They generally work during school hours when students are present and use nights and weekends to prepare lessons and grade papers. Most kindergarten and elementary school teachers do not work during the summer.
How to Become a Kindergarten or Elementary School Teacher
Kindergarten and elementary school teachers usually must have at least a bachelor’s degree. In addition, public school teachers must have a state-issued certification or license.
Pay
The median annual wage for elementary school teachers, except special education was $63,970 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for kindergarten teachers, except special education was $62,680 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of kindergarten and elementary school teachers is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.
Despite limited employment growth, about 99,400 openings for kindergarten and elementary school teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for kindergarten and elementary school teachers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of kindergarten and elementary school teachers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about kindergarten and elementary school teachers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for kindergarten and elementary school teachers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of kindergarten and elementary school teachers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about kindergarten and elementary school teachers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about kindergarten and elementary school teachers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.