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Preschool Special Education Teacher

💰 Earn $47K-$65K
📚 Bachelor Degree
⏱️ 48 Month Training
📈 1.4% Job Growth
  • Inspire young minds by teaching essential skills to children with special needs.
  • Make a lasting impact by fostering growth in diverse learning environments.
  • Use creative techniques to communicate and support children nonverbally.
Preschool Special Education Teacher
What Preschool Special Education Teachers DoTeach academic, social, and life skills to preschool-aged students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.
  • Employ special educational strategies or techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, or memory.
  • Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification or positive reinforcement.
  • Communicate nonverbally with children to provide them with comfort, encouragement, or positive reinforcement.
  • Teach basic skills, such as color, shape, number and letter recognition, personal hygiene, or social skills, to preschool students with special needs.
  • Develop individual educational plans (IEPs) designed to promote students' educational, physical, or social development.
Preschool Special Education Teachers Education, Salary, and Growth
Minimum EducationBachelor Degree
Career ProspectsGood (Increasing by 1-5%)
Training TimeOver 4 years
Job Openings2,100 Annually
Median Earnings
$55,890 in California
$62,190 Nationally

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Only you can decide how much you need to earn — but knowing what it actually costs to live in your area can help. The Family Budget Calculator can guide you.
Is This Career Right For You?
YOU Like
  • Being creative or artistic
  • Relating with or serving others
you value
  • Accomplishing things
  • Having freedom
  • Personal relationships
you are skilled in
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Instructing
  • Learning Strategies
  • Reading Comprehension
Go Deeper: Preschool Special Education Teachers Explained
Preschool Special Education TeacherExplore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.
How Do You Train for This Career?

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Bachelor's DegreeA bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.
🎓 College
⏱️ Finish in 4-5+ years
Hybrid CollegeA hybrid college combines online learning with the student support typically offered on college campuses, giving students flexibility and accessibility while still providing a comprehensive educational experience.
🎓 College
⏱️ Finish in 2-5 years
ApprenticeshipAn apprenticeship typically offers a combination of hands-on training and classroom instruction, leading to practical skills, industry-specific knowledge, and the potential for long-term employment in a specific trade or profession.
🎓 Paid Work
⏱️ Finish in 2-5 years
Associate's DegreeAn associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.
🎓 College
⏱️ Finish in 2-3 years
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Updated April 2026. Data sourced from O*NET and Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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