Career comparison
Preschool Special Education Teacher vs. Special Education Teacher
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Special education teachers earn more at the median ($65,120 vs. $64,830), while preschool special education teachers usually get to work faster (4 years plus licensure of training). Preschool special education teachers teach young children with disabilities and developmental delays. Special education teachers teach and support students with disabilities so they can learn and thrive.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Preschool Special Education Teacher | Special Education Teacher | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $64,830 | $65,120 |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $45,620 – $130,040 | $49,350 – $103,010 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +2.4% (slower than average) | -0.4% (little or no change) |
| Openings per year | 2,000 | 16,400 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 4 years plus licensure | 4 years plus licensing |
| Key credential | State special education license | State special education license |
| Work setting | Teachers work in public school preschools, inclusive classrooms and sometimes in homes.. | Special education teachers work in resource rooms, self-contained classrooms and general education classrooms, with meetings and paperwork.. |
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
Special Education Teacher
- Assess students’ needs and progress
- Write and implement IEPs
- Adapt lessons and materials
- Teach individuals and small groups
- Co-teach in general education classes
How they’re similar
Both careers involve helping others, working with people, and teamwork. 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 special education teacher if…
- I want to help students with disabilities
- I’m patient and persistent
- I like individualized teaching
Still torn? Take the Preschool Special Education Teacher fit quiz and the Special Education Teacher fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, preschool special education teacher or special education teacher?
Special Education Teachers earn more at the median: $65,120 versus $64,830 for preschool special education teachers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Preschool Special Education Teachers typically train faster (4 years plus licensure) than special education teachers (4 years plus licensing).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects preschool special education teachers to grow +2.4% from 2025–35, compared with -0.4% for special education teachers.