Career comparison
Preschool Special Education Teacher vs. Preschool Teacher
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Preschool special education teachers earn more at the median ($64,830 vs. $38,140), while preschool teachers usually get to work faster (6 months (CDA) to 2 years (associate) of training). Preschool special education teachers teach young children with disabilities and developmental delays. 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
| Preschool Special Education Teacher | Preschool Teacher | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $64,830 | $38,140 ($18.34/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $45,620 – $130,040 | $28,990 – $61,390 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +2.4% (slower than average) | +4.5% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 2,000 | 66,700 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Associate's degree |
| Training time | 4 years plus licensure | 6 months (CDA) to 2 years (associate) |
| Key credential | State special education license | Child Development Associate (CDA) |
| Work setting | Teachers work in public school preschools, inclusive classrooms and sometimes in homes.. | Preschool teachers work in classrooms and playgrounds that are busy, noisy and active. |
What each job does
Preschool Special Education Teacher
- Teach play-based lessons
- Write and carry out IEPs
- Build communication and social skills
- Work with speech and occupational therapists
- Track progress on goals
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, teamwork, and physical work. Both are part of the education & childcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose preschool special education teacher if…
- I love young children
- I’m very patient
- I like play-based teaching
Choose preschool teacher if…
- I love working with young children
- I’m patient and calm
- I enjoy creative activities
Still torn? Take the Preschool Special Education Teacher fit quiz and the Preschool Teacher fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, preschool special education teacher or preschool teacher?
Preschool Special Education Teachers earn more at the median: $64,830 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 preschool special education teachers (4 years plus licensure).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects preschool teachers to grow +4.5% from 2025–35, compared with +2.4% for preschool special education teachers.