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Special Education Teachers, Preschool

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeLower pressure

What they do

Teach academic, social, and life skills to preschool-aged students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.

Kinds of work

  • Social: Helping, teaching, caring for and supporting other people.
  • Artistic: Creating, designing and expressing ideas through art, writing, music or performance.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.

Lower pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $64,830 Median per year Most earn $45,620–$130,040

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Communicate nonverbally with children to provide them with comfort, encouragement, or positive reinforcement.
  • Encourage students to explore learning opportunities or persevere with challenging tasks to prepare them for later grades.
  • Arrange indoor or outdoor space to facilitate creative play, motor-skill activities, or safety.
  • Coordinate placement of students with special needs into mainstream classes.
  • Collaborate with other teachers or administrators to develop, evaluate, or revise preschool programs.
  • Provide assistive devices, supportive technology, or assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.

Job outlook

United States
2% more jobs by 2035, slower than average · about 2,000 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Elementary and secondary schools63.3%
  • Child daycare services15.9%
  • Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists6.7%
  • Services for the elderly and persons with disabilities4.8%
  • Local government, excluding education and hospitals2.5%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeExperience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

Preschool special education teaching usually requires a bachelor's degree, and most people also spend about 6 months to 1 year in related work, like classroom support, before they land this job. So it's not usually an entry-level job straight out of school, but it's a very reachable path with the right education and hands-on experience.

  1. Bachelor's degree in special education or early childhood education

    4 years

    You learn how young children grow and learn, and how to teach students with different disabilities. Most programs also include student teaching, which gives you real classroom time.

  2. Teaching Assistant, Special Education

    6 months to 1 year

    You work alongside a lead teacher, help students with learning and daily routines, and see how individualized plans are carried out. This hands-on time builds the experience most employers look for.

  3. Special Education Teacher, Preschool

    Ongoing career

    You plan and lead lessons for preschool-aged students with disabilities, work with families and specialists, and track each child's progress. Most public programs also require a state teaching license or certification, which varies by state.

Where it can lead

  1. Special Education Teacher, Kindergarten

    1-2 years of experience first

    You move into a kindergarten classroom and take on more academic instruction for students with disabilities, which requires strong planning and communication with families.

  2. Special Education Teacher, Elementary School

    1-2 years of experience first

    You work with older students on a wider range of subjects and take on more responsibility for writing and reviewing individualized education plans (IEPs).

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take child development or psychologyThese classes teach how young children learn and grow, which is the foundation of working with preschool students.
  • Volunteer with young childrenHelping at a daycare, library reading program, or children's event gives you real experience and a reference for future jobs or programs.
  • Join a future educators or teaching clubClubs like this often include mentoring, guest speakers, and chances to practice teaching skills with others who share your interest.
  • Learn basic sign languageSome schools offer American Sign Language classes, and knowing even basic signs helps when working with students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
  • Get a summer job as a camp counselor or babysitterThese jobs teach you patience, routines, and how to keep young kids engaged, all of which matter in a preschool classroom.

In college

  • Major in special education or early childhood educationThese majors cover child development, teaching methods, and working with students who have disabilities, and they lead directly to licensure in many states.
  • Work as a classroom aide or substituteWorking in a school or preschool gives you hands-on experience and helps you show employers you can handle a real classroom.
  • Complete your student teaching or practicumThis required field experience lets you practice planning lessons and supporting students with a licensed teacher guiding you.
  • Get CPR and first aid certificationMany preschool programs require this, and it shows you're prepared for emergencies with young children.
  • Join a student education organizationMany campuses have student groups for future special education or early childhood teachers, which offer networking, workshops, and leadership roles.

Tips for getting started

  • Get real experience with young kids now, through camp counseling, babysitting, or volunteering at a daycare, library story time, or after-school program. Schools look for this experience.
  • Ask a special education teacher or school counselor whether you can observe a classroom. Seeing the daily work up close is the best way to tell if this career fits you.
  • Keep your grades strong and check what your state requires for a teaching license early, so you can plan your classes and student teaching to match.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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