Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education

Teach academic and social skills to kindergarten students.

SOC: 25-2012.00

Common Job Titles

Bilingual Kindergarten TeacherClassroom TeacherKinder TeacherTeacher

What You'll Need to Succeed

AI-generated

Key competencies for this occupation at a glance

  • KnowledgeCreate engaging, developmentally appropriate learning materials and classroom environments using creativity, educational research, and knowledge of child development.
  • KnowledgeDesign age-appropriate lesson plans integrating academic and social-emotional learning objectives using developmental psychology principles and state curriculum standards.
  • MindsetIntegrate social perceptiveness with instructional strategies to identify and respond to individual student emotional and behavioral needs in real-time.
  • KnowledgeAssess student progress in literacy, numeracy, and social skills development using observation, formative assessments, and portfolio documentation.
  • MindsetAdvocate positive classroom community and inclusive practices by modeling respect, empathy, and conflict resolution with young learners.
  • Hands-onDemonstrate mastery instructional delivery techniques including read-alouds, hands-on activities, and guided play while maintaining classroom management and student engagement.
  • KnowledgeOrganize daily schedules balancing structured lessons, play-based learning, and transitions to maximize instructional time and support kindergarten routines.
  • KnowledgeEvaluate the effectiveness of instructional methods and classroom interventions by analyzing student performance data and adjusting teaching strategies accordingly.
  • MindsetBalance individual student needs with whole-class instructional objectives when managing diverse learning paces and behavioral challenges.
  • KnowledgeApply differentiated learning strategies for diverse developmental levels in whole-group and small-group classroom settings.
  • MindsetEngage with parents and families to support student learning goals through regular communication, conferences, and collaborative problem-solving.
  • Hands-onOperate educational technology tools including computers, projectors, and learning software to enhance interactive instruction and document student progress.
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Annual wage data for Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education (2024)

Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)

114,410

Wage Distribution by Percentile

MetricU.S.
10% of workers earn the following or less$45,750
10% of workers earn the following or more$99,360
Workers on average earn$67,020

+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)

Skills & Requirements

Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance

  • Education and Training4.7/5
  • English Language4.6/5
  • Psychology4.0/5
  • Mathematics3.9/5
  • Customer and Personal Service3.5/5
Tools & Technology

Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation

In-Demand Technology

Frequently requested by employers in job postings

Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft Word

Technology Skills

BloomzChildren's educational softwarePadletSeesaw

Tools & Equipment

Audiotape playersCompact digital camerasCompact disk CD playersComputer laser printersDesktop computersEducational board gamesIntercom systemsLaminating machines