Hiring guide · Education & Childcare
How to Hire a Preschool Teacher
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring preschool teachers, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $38,140), recruit through college education programs and student-teaching placements, verify Child Development Associate (CDA) where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for preschool teachers
There are about 583,200 preschool teachers employed in the U.S., with roughly 66,700 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +4.5% from 2025–35 (about as fast as average). Most openings come from replacing workers who retire or change careers, so a steady pipeline matters.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $28,990–$34,530 | $13.94–$16.60 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $38,140 | $18.34 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $47,550 | $22.86 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $61,390 | $29.51 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- Associate's degree (typical entry level)
- Licensing or certification required in your state
- Early childhood curriculum
- Patience
Nice-to-haves
- Child Development Associate (CDA)
- State early childhood teacher license
- CPR and pediatric first aid
- Experience with learning center materials
Where to find preschool teachers
- College education programs and student-teaching placements
- Alternative certification and residency programs
- Substitute and paraprofessional pools
- Community colleges with early childhood (CDA) programs
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Pre-K Teacher, Early Childhood Educator, Head Start Teacher, Lead Preschool Teacher
Screening checklist
- State license or certification verification where required
- Fingerprint background checks and child abuse registry clearances
- CPR and first aid certification for childcare roles
- A sample lesson or classroom observation
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “How do you manage challenging behavior?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain positive guidance.
2. “How do you plan lessons?”
What a strong answer includes: Mention play and goals.
3. “How do you communicate with families?”
What a strong answer includes: Describe regular updates.
4. “How do you keep children safe?”
What a strong answer includes: Mention supervision and ratios.
5. “Why early childhood?”
What a strong answer includes: Show passion.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Lead Morning Circle Time (see the steps)
- Handle a Conflict Between Children (see the steps)
- Write a Child Observation (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Developmentally appropriate practice, Play-based learning, Learning centers
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Preschool Teacher 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Preschool Teacher training. Show them the path forward: Assistant Teacher → Preschool Teacher → Lead Teacher or Curriculum Coordinator → Center Director.
Hiring preschool teachers: FAQ
How much should I pay a preschool teacher?
The U.S. median wage for preschool teachers is $38,140 per year ($18.34/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($34,530), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($47,550). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a preschool teacher have?
BLS lists “associate's degree” as the typical entry-level education. Look for Child Development Associate (CDA) and State early childhood teacher license where relevant, plus skills such as early childhood curriculum, classroom management, and child development observation.
How long does it take to train a new preschool teacher?
Becoming qualified typically takes 6 months (CDA) to 2 years (associate). After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “none.”