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Career overview · SOC 25-2051

Special Education Teachers, Preschool

Teach 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.

Also called: Early Childhood Special Education Teacher (ECSE Teacher) · Early Intervention Teacher · Exceptional Student Education Teacher (ESE Teacher) · Handicapped Teacher · Preschool Special Education Teacher · Resource Teacher

Median pay (national)
$62,190
$38,740–$132,530 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
28,200
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+1.4%
~2,100 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree

What the numbers say

Refit analysis ·Pay for special education teachers, preschool shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $132,530 versus $38,740 at the bottom 10% — 3.4x. The median of $62,190 leaves roughly 113% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +1.4% from 2024 to 2034 — slower than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 2,100 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 40 states with released data, New York pays the most for this role (median $129,860, +109% vs the national median), while Iowa sits lowest at $34,420 — a 277% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Speaking, Active Listening, Reading Comprehension as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.

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Top skills employers ask for

Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.

  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Writing
  • Learning Strategies
  • Monitoring
  • Active Learning
  • Mathematics
  • Science

What they actually do

Core O*NET tasks for this role.

  • Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification or positive reinforcement.
  • Develop individual educational plans (IEPs) designed to promote students' educational, physical, or social development.
  • Teach students personal development skills, such as goal setting, independence, or self-advocacy.
  • Develop or implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of disabilities.
  • Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
  • Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment or materials to prevent injuries and damage.
  • Administer tests to help determine children's developmental levels, needs, or potential.
  • Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
  • Attend to children's basic needs by feeding them, dressing them, or changing their diapers.
  • Prepare classrooms with a variety of materials or resources for children to explore, manipulate, or use in learning activities or imaginative play.

Tools & technology

  • American Sign Language Browser
  • Children's educational software
  • Drawing software
  • Screen magnification software
  • Screen reader software
  • Web browser software
  • Email software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word

Knowledge areas

  • English Language
  • Education and Training
  • Psychology
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Therapy and Counseling
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Administrative
  • Customer and Personal Service