How to Become a Preschool Teacher
To become a preschool teacher, you typically need at least an associate's degree in early childhood education, though public-school positions commonly require a bachelor's degree and requirements vary by state. Background checks, CPR, and first-aid rules also vary by state and setting, and a CDA credential may satisfy some positions' requirements depending on the program.
Preschool teaching is one of many paths within the range of roles in education, and how to become a preschool teacher actually depends on where you work. A private daycare might hire you with a CDA credential and a high school diploma. A public school preschool program more often looks for a bachelor's degree and a state educator credential, though the specifics depend on your state and the program itself. Sorting out which rule applies to the job you actually want is the first real decision in this path, and it's worth doing before you enroll in anything.
What a Preschool Teacher Actually Does
Preschool teachers work with children between ages three and five, the group not yet old enough for kindergarten. Students at this age tend to be active and are still developing the ability to communicate their needs clearly, which shapes most of what the job actually looks like day to day.
The job centers on play, not lecture: teachers build a day around small-group activities, one-on-one instruction, and classroom "centers" for science, art, music, and dramatic play. The goal isn't just keeping children occupied. It's using that play time to build early language, motor, and social skills before a child reaches a K-12 classroom.
Day to day, the role includes:
- Planning activities that teach problem-solving and early literacy through play
- Watching for developmental or emotional concerns and looping in parents
- Modeling behavior, routines, and emotional regulation for children who are still learning both
- Coordinating with families on milestones and, in Head Start settings, connecting them to outside resources
Preschool Teacher by Degree Level
The tables and charts below break down the education level obtained as averaged across the U.S.
| Degree Level | Percent (%) |
|---|---|
| Less Than High School Diploma | 2.0% |
| High School Diploma | 13.2% |
| Some College | 23.8% |
| Associate Degree | 13.7% |
| Bachelors Degree | 33.9% |
| Masters Degree | 12.7% |
| Doctorate Degree | 0.7% |
Data taken from BLS Educational attainment for workers 25 years and older by detailed occupation, 2010-11 (http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_table_111.htm)
Education Requirements by Setting
There's no single national requirement for preschool teachers. Instead, the degree floor shifts based on who's running the program.
Head Start and Public School Programs
Federal rules require center-based Head Start preschool teachers to hold at least an associate's or bachelor's degree in early childhood education or child development, equivalent coursework, or to otherwise satisfy the applicable statutory qualification provisions. Nationally, federal rules also require that at least 50% of Head Start preschool teachers hold a bachelor's degree in early childhood education or child development, or qualifying equivalent coursework, a national workforce target rather than a per-program requirement. Public-school preschool positions commonly require a bachelor's degree and a state educator credential, but the exact requirements vary by state and program, and completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program is typically part of the path to full certification.
Private Preschools
Private preschools set their own standards, and requirements vary considerably by school. Some ask for only a high school diploma and a CDA credential. Others, particularly ones seeking accreditation through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), expect at least an associate's degree. If you're considering a specific private school, ask the school directly what it requires. NAEYC accredits preschools against health, safety, and education standards, and accreditation status is a useful signal of what a given program expects from its staff.
The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential
For prospective teachers who haven't finished a college degree, the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential is a distinct competency-based credential issued by the Council for Professional Recognition, not a college degree substitute. It requires 120 clock hours of early childhood education coursework, 480 hours of documented experience working directly with young children, a professional portfolio, a verification visit, and an exam. It's also a practical option for someone who already holds a degree in an unrelated field and doesn't want to start a second degree from scratch. Whether a CDA satisfies or contributes toward a given position's qualification requirements depends on the state and the setting, so confirm the specifics with the program you're applying to.
Certification, Background Checks, and Testing
Background checks, fingerprinting, CPR, and first-aid requirements vary by state and setting rather than following one national rule. Testing requirements vary the most by pathway: some states require preschool teachers pursuing a public school license to pass a state-specific licensing exam or an assessment such as a Praxis subject test, while private and Head Start settings typically don't require any standardized exam at all. Because these requirements are state- and pathway-specific and can change, confirm the current rule with your state's educator-licensing or credentialing agency before you commit to a program.
How Long It Takes
The timeline depends entirely on which route you take. A CDA credential can be completed in as little as a few months if you already have qualifying experience with young children. An associate's degree typically takes about two years of full-time study. A bachelor's degree, the requirement for most public school and many accredited private programs, takes around four years, plus any additional time a state requires for student teaching if you're pursuing full certification.
Where Preschool Teachers Work
Public Preschools
Many public elementary schools run a preschool on campus, typically free or reduced-cost and funded through a mix of federal and state dollars. These programs answer to the U.S. Department of Education, the state board of education, and the local school district.
Private Preschools
Private preschools charge tuition and are usually governed by a private school board or organization rather than a public one, which is why their hiring standards vary so much from school to school.
Head Start Centers
Head Start grew out of efforts to address childhood poverty by providing low-income families with health, education, and social services in one program. It's funded through the state and focuses on the whole family, not just the child in the classroom.
Many teachers in this field go on to earn a degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development, both of which build directly on the coursework described above.
Preschool Teacher Salary and Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, preschool teachers earned a mean annual salary of $43,030 as of May 2025. Employment of preschool teachers is projected to grow 4.1% between 2024 and 2034, according to Projections Central, one of the few K-12-adjacent roles on this site with a growing outlook rather than a declining one, and the field adds an estimated 65,500 job openings each year.
Read more details on what to expect from a teacher's salary on our Salary page.
Professional Organizations for Preschool Teachers
- NAEYC - National Association for the Education of Young Children
- NAECTE - National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Education
- AELL - Association for Early Learning Leaders
- CEI - Childhood Education International
- PACE - Professional Association for Childhood Education
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a degree to be a preschool teacher?
It depends on where you work and on your state. Public-school preschool positions commonly require a bachelor's degree, though requirements vary by state and program. Head Start requires at least an associate's or bachelor's degree in early childhood education (or equivalent coursework), and federal rules require at least half of Head Start preschool teachers nationally to hold a bachelor's degree. Many private preschools will hire a candidate with a CDA credential and a high school diploma instead.
What is a CDA credential, and who is it for?
The Child Development Associate credential is a distinct competency-based credential from the Council for Professional Recognition, requiring 120 clock hours of coursework, 480 hours of documented experience, a portfolio, and an exam. It's not a college degree substitute, but it can satisfy or contribute toward qualification requirements for some preschool positions, depending on the state and setting. It suits people without a degree, and people with a degree in an unrelated field who want to enter preschool teaching without starting a new degree.
How long does it take to become a preschool teacher?
A CDA credential can take just a few months with qualifying experience already in hand. An associate's degree runs about two years, and a bachelor's degree around four, plus any state-required student teaching for full certification.
Do preschool teachers have to pass a certification test?
Sometimes. Testing requirements are pathway-specific: some states require a licensing exam or an assessment such as a Praxis subject test for teachers pursuing a public school certification, while private and Head Start settings usually don't require a standardized test at all. Check with your state's educator-licensing or credentialing agency for the current rule.
Where do preschool teachers typically work?
Public elementary schools, private preschools, childcare centers, and Head Start programs are the four main settings, each with its own funding source, oversight body, and hiring standards.
- The degree floor depends on the employer and the state - public-school positions commonly require a bachelor's degree, Head Start requires at least an associate's or bachelor's degree depending on the role, and many private preschools accept a CDA credential instead.
- The CDA is a distinct credential, not a degree substitute - it requires 120 hours of coursework, 480 hours of experience, and an exam, and whether it satisfies a given position's requirements depends on the state and setting.
- Testing requirements are pathway-specific, not universal - some states require a licensing exam for the public school route, and private and Head Start settings typically don't.
- The job outlook is growing, not shrinking - 4.1% projected growth between 2024 and 2034, according to Projections Central, with about 65,500 openings a year.
2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for Preschool Teachers. Job growth projections (2024-2034) are from the US Department of Labor-sponsored resource, Projections Central. Figures reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed August 2026.
Whether a bachelor's degree, an associate's degree, or a CDA credential fits your timeline depends on the setting you want to teach in. The programs listed on this page span all three routes, including options built for someone already working with young children who wants to formalize that experience into a credential.
Salary (2025) and Job Outlook (2012 to 2020) by State
According to the published BLS data from 2025, the national average salary for Preschool Teachers is $43,030, with an estimated 478,780 being employed nationwide. Also, the job outlook growth projection from 2012 to 2020 is expected to increase by 17.4%.
| State | Projected Growth (%) | Avg Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 19.2% | $31,160 |
| Alaska | 15.1% | $50,670 |
| Arizona | 30.6% | $38,800 |
| Arkansas | 16.8% | $38,180 |
| California | 4.5% | $51,190 |
| Colorado | 23.2% | $53,270 |
| Connecticut | 14.3% | $50,830 |
| Delaware | 10.0% | $37,240 |
| Florida | 19.2% | $37,040 |
| Georgia | 27.6% | $47,920 |
| Hawaii | 10.7% | $50,670 |
| Idaho | 13.4% | $35,650 |
| Illinois | 3.7% | $45,150 |
| Indiana | 22.5% | $38,240 |
| Iowa | 14.5% | $35,760 |
| Kansas | 16.0% | $46,580 |
| Kentucky | 15.4% | $35,400 |
| Louisiana | 10.0% | $41,280 |
| Maine | 2.0% | $45,350 |
| Maryland | 3.3% | $47,470 |
| Massachusetts | 17.0% | $48,460 |
| Michigan | - | $39,730 |
| Minnesota | 10.1% | $45,130 |
| Mississippi | 15.4% | $35,500 |
| Missouri | 9.3% | $39,030 |
| Montana | 7.1% | $38,440 |
| Nebraska | 11.5% | $50,150 |
| Nevada | 17.1% | $42,970 |
| New Hampshire | 14.8% | $41,950 |
| New Jersey | 3.0% | $56,770 |
| New Mexico | 17.1% | $50,510 |
| New York | 9.5% | $51,930 |
| North Carolina | 23.3% | $37,340 |
| North Dakota | 11.3% | $41,620 |
| Ohio | 17.6% | $36,500 |
| Oklahoma | 12.7% | $37,310 |
| Oregon | 19.0% | $48,130 |
| Pennsylvania | 14.0% | $37,250 |
| Rhode Island | 7.2% | $39,850 |
| South Carolina | 16.7% | $36,190 |
| South Dakota | 15.2% | $42,440 |
| Tennessee | 21.9% | $41,170 |
| Texas | 22.5% | $35,970 |
| Utah | 20.8% | $36,450 |
| Vermont | 9.3% | $52,520 |
| Virginia | 19.7% | $42,490 |
| Washington | 19.4% | $48,140 |
| Washington, DC | - | $68,100 |
| West Virginia | - | $37,650 |
| Wisconsin | - | $36,500 |
| Wyoming | 14.1% | $37,330 |
Data taken from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/oes/) for Preschool Teachers (SOC Code: 25-2011)
Salary (2025) By Largest Metropolitan Areas
| Area | Employed | Avg Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 990 | $37,650 |
Data taken from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/oes/) for Preschool Teachers (SOC Code: 25-2011)