Education & Childcare career

Kindergarten Teacher

Also called: K Teacher · Early Elementary Teacher · Transitional Kindergarten Teacher · Primary Teacher

What kindergarten teachers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a kindergarten teacher do?

Kindergarten teachers teach young students basic reading, writing, math and social skills, preparing them for elementary school. The median pay is $62,680 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 4 years plus licensing, and employment is projected to grow -0.3% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $62,680
    Annual salary · May 2025
  • Job growth
    -0.3%
    2025–35, little or no change
  • Openings per year
    11,900
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    Bachelor's degree
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    4 years plus licensing
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    111,200
    Employment, 2025

What kindergarten teachers do

Kindergarten teachers introduce children to school. They teach letter sounds and early reading, counting and number sense, writing, science and social skills, set up routines, assess progress and communicate with families. Much learning happens through hands-on activities and play.

Public school kindergarten teachers need a bachelor’s degree and a state teaching license, usually in early childhood or elementary education. Many states offer alternative certification routes for career changers.

Typical duties

  • Teach early reading, writing and math
  • Plan hands-on lessons
  • Build classroom routines and social skills
  • Assess student progress
  • Differentiate instruction for different learners
  • Communicate with families
  • Collaborate with specialists and grade-level teams

Work environment and schedule

Kindergarten teachers work in elementary school classrooms that are active and noisy, with lots of movement.

Schedule: Teachers work school-year schedules plus planning and grading time; summers are usually off.

A day in the life

  1. Set up literacy centers and review the day’s plan.
  2. Greet students and lead morning meeting.
  3. Teach phonics with songs and letter cards.
  4. Lead math centers with counting games.

See a full day in the life of a kindergarten teacher →

Kindergarten Teacher salary

Half of kindergarten teachers earned more than $62,680 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $46,990 for the lowest 10% to $101,830 for the top 10%.

Full kindergarten teacher pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a kindergarten teacher

  1. Earn a bachelor’s degree
  2. Complete student teaching
  3. Pass licensing exams
  4. Get your license
  5. Advance

Public school teachers need a bachelor’s degree, a teacher preparation program with student teaching, and a state license, often requiring Praxis or state exams.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a kindergarten teacher →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Early literacy instruction
  • Math instruction
  • Classroom management
  • Assessment
  • Differentiation

People skills

  • Patience
  • Warmth
  • Organization
  • Creativity

All kindergarten teacher skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Foundational impact on children
  • Joyful, creative classrooms
  • Summers off
  • Stable public jobs and pensions

Cons

  • Exhausting energy levels
  • Behavior and readiness gaps
  • Paperwork and testing
  • Pay is modest in some districts

Certifications and licenses

  • State teaching license: Required for public school teaching.
  • Praxis or state teacher exams: Tests of content and teaching knowledge.
  • Early childhood endorsement: Additional certification for early grades.
  • Reading or literacy certification: Training such as LETRS or science of reading programs.

Career path

  1. Student Teacher: Learn under a mentor.
  2. Kindergarten Teacher: Lead a classroom.
  3. Lead Teacher or Reading Specialist: Mentor and specialize.
  4. Instructional Coach or Principal: Lead instruction or schools.

Learn the job before day one

Our Kindergarten Teacher training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as teach a phonics lesson and teach a classroom routine, safety and how to land your first job.

View Kindergarten Teacher trainingIs this career right for me?

Preschool Teacher

Teach young children through play, routines and early learning.

  • $38,140
  • 6 months (CDA) to 2 years (associate)

Teacher Assistant

Support teachers and help students learn in classrooms.

  • $36,780
  • Weeks to 2 years depending on the district

Special Education Teacher

Teach and support students with disabilities so they can learn and thrive.

  • $65,120
  • 4 years plus licensing

Compare: Kindergarten Teacher vs. Preschool Teacher · Kindergarten Teacher vs. Elementary Teacher · Kindergarten Teacher vs. Teacher Assistant · Kindergarten Teacher vs. Special Ed Teacher

Kindergarten Teacher FAQ

Do kindergarten teachers need a license?

Yes, for public schools.

Do kindergarten teachers get summers off?

Usually.

Is there an alternative route?

Many states offer alternative certification.

How much does a kindergarten teacher make?

The median annual wage for kindergarten teachers was $62,680 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $46,990 and the highest 10% earned more than $101,830.

How long does it take to become a kindergarten teacher?

Most people need about 4 years plus licensing of training. Public school teachers need a bachelor’s degree, a teacher preparation program with student teaching, and a state license, often requiring Praxis or state exams.

Do you need a degree to be a kindergarten teacher?

Yes, for public schools. Kindergarten teachers need a bachelor’s degree and a state teaching license, though many states offer alternative certification for people with a degree in another field.

More kindergarten teacher questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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