Career comparison
Kindergarten Teacher vs. Preschool Teacher
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Kindergarten teachers earn more at the median ($62,680 vs. $38,140), while preschool teachers usually get to work faster (6 months (CDA) to 2 years (associate) of training). Kindergarten teachers teach children their first year of school: reading, math and how to learn. Preschool teachers teach young children through play, routines and early learning.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Kindergarten Teacher | Preschool Teacher | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $62,680 | $38,140 ($18.34/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $46,990 – $101,830 | $28,990 – $61,390 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -0.3% (little or no change) | +4.5% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 11,900 | 66,700 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Associate's degree |
| Training time | 4 years plus licensing | 6 months (CDA) to 2 years (associate) |
| Key credential | State teaching license | Child Development Associate (CDA) |
| Work setting | Kindergarten teachers work in elementary school classrooms that are active and noisy, with lots of movement.. | Preschool teachers work in classrooms and playgrounds that are busy, noisy and active. |
What each job does
Kindergarten Teacher
- Teach early reading, writing and math
- Plan hands-on lessons
- Build classroom routines and social skills
- Assess student progress
- Differentiate instruction for different learners
Preschool Teacher
- Plan play-based lessons and activities
- Teach early literacy, math and social skills
- Supervise children and keep them safe
- Manage daily routines and transitions
- Observe and assess child development
How they’re similar
Both careers involve helping others, working with people, creative work, and indoor work. Both are part of the education & childcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose kindergarten teacher if…
- I love young children
- I’m patient and energetic
- I want to teach reading foundations
Choose preschool teacher if…
- I love working with young children
- I’m patient and calm
- I enjoy creative activities
Still torn? Take the Kindergarten Teacher fit quiz and the Preschool Teacher fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, kindergarten teacher or preschool teacher?
Kindergarten Teachers earn more at the median: $62,680 versus $38,140 for preschool teachers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Preschool Teachers typically train faster (6 months (CDA) to 2 years (associate)) than kindergarten teachers (4 years plus licensing).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects preschool teachers to grow +4.5% from 2025–35, compared with -0.3% for kindergarten teachers.