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Job outlook for lead pre-k teachers in the United States
Lead pre-k teacher job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected lead pre-k teacher job growth rate is 15% from 2018-2028.
About 72,900 new jobs for lead pre-k teachers are projected over the next decade.
Lead pre-k teacher salaries have increased 11% for lead pre-k teachers in the last 5 years.
There are over 635,178 lead pre-k teachers currently employed in the United States.
There are 55,623 active lead pre-k teacher job openings in the US.
The average lead pre-k teacher salary is $34,380.
Are lead pre-k teacher jobs in demand?
Lead pre-k teacher job and salary trends over time
Lead pre-k teacher jobs over time
Lead pre-k teacher job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 635,178 | 0.19% |
| 2020 | 616,601 | 0.18% |
| 2019 | 669,249 | 0.20% |
| 2018 | 667,622 | 0.20% |
| 2017 | 650,532 | 0.20% |
Average lead pre-k teacher salary over time
Lead pre-k teacher salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $34,380 | $16.53 | +4.6% |
| 2024 | $32,862 | $15.80 | +2.5% |
| 2023 | $32,065 | $15.42 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | $31,215 | $15.01 | +0.7% |
| 2021 | $30,999 | $14.90 | +0.8% |
Lead pre-k teacher jobs by state
Most common states for lead pre-k teachers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 250 | 24% |
| 2 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 411 | 20% |
| 3 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 388 | 20% |
| 4 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 530 | 18% |
| 5 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 316 | 18% |
| 6 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 122 | 18% |
| 7 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 524 | 17% |
| 8 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 1,595 | 16% |
| 9 | Alaska | 739,795 | 120 | 16% |
| 10 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 577 | 15% |
| 11 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 122 | 14% |
| 12 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 396 | 13% |
| 13 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 168 | 13% |
| 14 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 710 | 12% |
| 15 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 986 | 11% |
| 16 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 631 | 11% |
| 17 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 606 | 11% |
| 18 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,310 | 10% |
| 19 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 683 | 10% |
| 20 | Delaware | 961,939 | 99 | 10% |
Most common cities for lead pre-k teachers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia | 1 | 1% | $32,808 |
| 2 | Rancho Cordova | 1 | 1% | $46,228 |
Lead Pre-K Teacher job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of lead pre-k teacher experts
Towson University
University of New England
Miami Dade College
New York University
University of Michigan Dearborn
Longwood University
Texas Woman's University
University of Wyoming
Presbyterian College
Lehigh University
University of Mary Washington
What will help Lead Pre-K Teachers increase their earning potential?
David Wizer: In nonprofit, public education field there’s not a great deal of negotiating opportunities. For students in the instructional design field there are ways to feature projects completed, skills they have, and a strong resume that highlights professional skills and experiences.
What Lead Pre-K Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Peter Badalament: Do everything you can to get a foot in the door - substitute teacher or get hired as a paraprofessional. I know that many schools hire teachers from pools of people they know. Preserve. Getting hired as an educator can be challenging at times, so hang in there.
What general advice would you give to a Lead Pre-K Teacher?
Jessica Espinosa Ph.D.: In the upcoming years, I anticipate that the proficiency in integrating Artificial Intelligence and technology in early childhood education will become essential. Educators must master the use of AI and emerging digital tools to enrich the learning experience. Additionally, the ability to apply data-driven approaches in instruction and assessment will be increasingly vital, allowing educators to make well-informed decisions that foster student development. I also think that a strong focus on social and emotional learning, alongside fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, will be indispensable in effectively meeting the varied needs of all learners.
What Lead Pre-K Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jessica Espinosa Ph.D.: As a graduate starting your career in the field of education, it's crucial to focus on continuous learning and development. Reflect on your experiences, both inside and outside of classrooms, to adapt and improve your teaching strategies. Engage actively in professional communities, such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), to stay updated on best practices and build your network. Emphasize the importance of mentorship and collaboration. Lastly, remain passionate about your role in shaping future generations and stay committed to promoting an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students.
What will help Lead Pre-K Teachers increase their earning potential?
Jessica Espinosa Ph.D.: To maximize your salary potential as a teacher in Florida, focus on enhancing your qualifications and professional standing. Obtain additional certifications and specialize in high-demand areas like special education or STEM. Engage in continual professional development and assume leadership roles to showcase your capabilities and ambition. Further your education beyond initial certifications, leveraging higher degrees for increased earning potential. Consider supplementary roles such as adjunct teaching or online course development, which can provide extra income and enhance your professional profile. These strategies, reflective of your professional journey, can lead to better salary opportunities in the educational field.
What general advice would you give to a Lead Pre-K Teacher?
Dr. Diana Turk Ph.D.: This is for any field, but find mentors - plural - who can support and guide you, and find peers who can cheer and cajole you. Remembering your WHY - why are you teaching? what are you hoping to teach your students to do and be? is essential for the days that are particularly hard. And when you have one of those really hard days, remember that there's always tomorrow. Most of all, ignore anyone who tells you not to smile before Thanksgiving. Who wants a teacher who doesn't smile? You can be warm at the same time as you're firm; flexible while being structured; playful while being serious. Show the students how excited you are to be with them, and this will go a long way towards building relationships based on respect and rapport.
Christopher Burke PhD
Professor Science EducationUniversity of Michigan Dearborn
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs
What will help Lead Pre-K Teachers increase their earning potential?
Christopher Burke PhD: Look for opportunities for leadership in both informal and formal roles.
Understand the contract and know how you move on the salary scale (credits? degrees?).
Know how a district compensates for extra pay/extra duty positions...but don't overwhelm with too many.
Know the condition of the market: Is it a "job seeker's market" or an "employer's hirer's market?" Turnover in positions can be cyclical and is effective by conditions such as economic circumstances. Sometimes one can be "choosier" than at other times based on demand.
Education-teaching and in leadership-is a relatively portable career. But levels of remuneration vary considerably across states and regions-and within states and regions. So...would, you be willing to consider a move? Usually moving to another state requires some work regarding transferability and recognition of credentials held in another state. But as demand increases, barriers to ease of relocation tend to decrease.
Dr. Audrey Church Ph.D.
Chair, Department of Education and Counseling; Professor of School LibrarianshipLongwood University
Education
What will help Lead Pre-K Teachers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Audrey Church Ph.D.: For those entering their first teaching position, I would give the following advice:
--Be sure that you are familiar with the policies of your school and school district. You want to be well-informed and knowledgeable so that you know what is expected of you as a teaching professional.
--Start immediately to build relationships with others on your team-your grade level team, your department team, etc.
--Become active in the professional association of your field, starting perhaps at the state level, for example, with the state affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of English or the Council for Exceptional Children or the American Association of School Librarians.
What Lead Pre-K Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Christina O'Connor Ph.D.: Teachers need to have an understanding of trauma-informed practice and incorporate social-emotional learning into the classroom. They also need to understand and be adept with using artificial intelligence as an instructional tool as well as know how to identify when AI is being used to deceive or falsify information. Information literacy is extremely important.
Gina Anderson
Associate Dean for Educator Preparation and PartnershipsTexas Woman's University
TWU College of Professional Education
What Lead Pre-K Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Gina Anderson: The daily workload of an educator varies greatly by the grade level, subject area, and needs of the students served. If the grade level is a "tested" year, this means that the expectations and pressures are typically higher in that standardized test scores are used to make high-stakes decisions about the student's progress, the teacher's effectiveness, and the school's and district's reputation. Similarly, if a grade level is one associated with a benchmark (all students reading at grade level) or for foundational skills (learning to read). Secondary teachers are also held responsible for end of year progress of their students - especially for subjects like English, Science, and Math. In the state of Texas, educators spend a minimum of four hours a day on teaching/instruction. Teachers must also spend time planning their instructional lessons, grading students' work, attending to students' and accommodations for learning English as a second language or for special education. The accommodations are not only in practice but also in required paperwork. Furthermore, teachers spend time responding to the behavioral, emotional, and mental health needs of their students; often partnering with other resource personnel in their school or district. Teachers also work with parents, guardians, or care-givers and communicate via meetings, phone, email and in-person visits. Educators are required to engage in a minimum number of professional development hours per academic year as well. In the state of Texas, educators are required to complete 150 continuing professional education clock hours over a five year renewal period. Many teachers spend time on the weekends and during the summer months attending to their teaching or professional development responsibilities. Some educators take on a second job during the summer months to supplement their income, as well. Finally, the above is the minimum expected of teachers. Many, if not most teachers, truly care about their students and engage far beyond the minimum by sponsoring extracurricular activities and building relationships with students. Excellent educators also are often tapped for additional roles such as serving as a mentor or cooperating teacher for pre-service teachers engaging in field work as required by their educator preparation program. When all is factored in to a typical day in the life of an educator, including instructional time, preparation, paperwork, accommodations, compliance with rules and regulations, professional development, relationship-building, and supporting future educators, it is usually well above a typical 8 hour workday and 40 hour work week.
Dr. Andrea Burrows
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs, Professor, Science Education, School of Teacher EducationUniversity of Wyoming
College of Education
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Lead Pre-K Teachers to find work opportunities?
Dr. Andrea Burrows: If you mean "teaching" by "this field," then yes, all over the U.S., there is a teacher shortage. When using the U.S. Department of Education site (tsa.ed.gov) and searching for shortage areas for all U.S. states in the academic year 2020-2021, every subject area is shown. If someone is interested in a specific state, they can search the site for shortages related to that state. The pandemic has certainly sparked more appreciation for teachers nationwide, which hopefully translates into teachers across our nation having a stronger voice in educational spaces and policies and possibly finding work in unexpected places.
Dr. Patricia L. Jones Ed.D.
ChairPresbyterian College
Education Department
What general advice would you give to a Lead Pre-K Teacher?
Dr. Patricia L. Jones Ed.D.: I always give my students the advice to 'be your own type of teacher' and not worry about what everyone else is saying or doing. I also tell them to find their teaching style to impart the necessary curricular material. If you find your path, you will be happy with your job and the students will learn!
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Lead Pre-K Teachers to find work opportunities?
Dr. William Gaudelli: Short-term, I would say that the Sunbelt is likely to see increasing demographic changes that are favorable, meaning more schools, thus requiring more teachers. Longer term, areas of the Sunbelt may become uninhabitable as a result of inundations and global warming, which is likely to lead to the repopulation of northern tier/midwestern areas that will make these areas more livable (NYT, 9-16-2020). This may seem like a long way off (+10 years), but increasingly, the effects of climate change are accelerating, and it's likely to arrive more quickly. Locally, the Northeast is likely to experience population loss (Nathan Grawe, 2018) though we're also seeing an increase in teacher vacancies, so there's likely to be available positions well into the future, even in regionally challenged areas.
Janine Davis Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorUniversity of Mary Washington
College of Education
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Lead Pre-K Teachers?
Janine Davis Ph.D.: For our teacher education graduates, the impact of the pandemic will most likely work in their favor when it comes to finding jobs-the pandemic has led to many retirements, which will mean that we will need even more teachers to fill those empty positions. At the same time, the advent of increased virtual learning means that it will no longer be an option that teachers know and use technology, including teaching online and using learning management and data analysis systems-those skills will almost certainly be a non-negotiable for future teaching positions. Finally, I think that this event has highlighted the importance of working as part of a team of teachers and other school leaders.