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Job outlook for preschool assistants in the United States
Preschool assistant job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected preschool assistant job growth rate is 4% from 2018-2028.
About 55,400 new jobs for preschool assistants are projected over the next decade.
Preschool assistant salaries have increased 14% for preschool assistants in the last 5 years.
There are over 288,352 preschool assistants currently employed in the United States.
There are 27,233 active preschool assistant job openings in the US.
The average preschool assistant salary is $28,442.
Are preschool assistant jobs in demand?
Preschool assistant job and salary trends over time
Preschool assistant jobs over time
Preschool assistant job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 288,352 | 0.09% |
| 2020 | 289,478 | 0.09% |
| 2019 | 321,682 | 0.10% |
| 2018 | 304,285 | 0.09% |
| 2017 | 295,080 | 0.09% |
Average preschool assistant salary over time
Preschool assistant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $28,442 | $13.67 | +3.5% |
| 2024 | $27,468 | $13.21 | +3.4% |
| 2023 | $26,559 | $12.77 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | $25,860 | $12.43 | +3.3% |
| 2021 | $25,023 | $12.03 | +2.0% |
Preschool assistant jobs by state
Most common states for preschool assistants
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 354 | 6% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 59 | 6% |
| 3 | Alaska | 739,795 | 43 | 6% |
| 4 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 602 | 5% |
| 5 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 377 | 5% |
| 6 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 330 | 5% |
| 7 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 293 | 5% |
| 8 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 278 | 5% |
| 9 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 267 | 5% |
| 10 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 99 | 5% |
| 11 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 98 | 5% |
| 12 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 504 | 4% |
| 13 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 500 | 4% |
| 14 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 365 | 4% |
| 15 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 245 | 4% |
| 16 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 161 | 4% |
| 17 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 156 | 4% |
| 18 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 105 | 4% |
| 19 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 47 | 4% |
| 20 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 43 | 4% |
Most common cities for preschool assistants
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prior Lake | 1 | 4% | $24,020 |
| 2 | Lakewood | 2 | 1% | $26,086 |
| 3 | Concord | 1 | 1% | $32,455 |
| 4 | Fishers | 1 | 1% | $30,059 |
| 5 | Richmond | 1 | 1% | $32,511 |
Preschool Assistant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of preschool assistant experts
Miami Dade College
University of Puerto Rico - Humacao
University of Michigan Dearborn
Longwood University
Saint Mary's College of California
Centenary University
University of Wyoming
University of Houston-Clear Lake
Ohio University
Lehigh University
University of Mary Washington
Anderson University
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Tupelo High School
What general advice would you give to a Preschool Assistant?
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 Preschool Assistant 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 Preschool Assistants 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 Preschool Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Maritere Cardona Matos Ed.D.: Being able to collaborate is essential in the academia as well as in the workplace. Educators need to cultivate students' abilities to work effectively in teams and communicate their ideas clearly both orally and in writing. Educators also need to develop students' awareness of what is happening around the world to help them develop empathy and values. We live in a world that is in constant movement, so students need to be able to adapt and manage time and stress.
Christopher Burke PhD
Professor Science EducationUniversity of Michigan Dearborn
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs
What will help Preschool Assistants 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 Preschool Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Audrey Church Ph.D.: In the field of education, skills that will become even more important and prevalent are really at, what I would consider, opposite ends of a spectrum: at one end, interpersonal skills--strength and knowledge in the areas of social and emotional learning and trauma-informed teaching; at the other end, technology skills-refining and enhancing information literacy and digital literacy skills.
What will help Preschool Assistants increase their earning potential?
Peter Alter Ph.D.: Good classroom and behavior management skills will serve you well. To do that, understanding the big ideas around Applied Behavior Analysis will really help.
Use technology to your best advantage. Depending on your age, you are either a digital native or a digital immigrant but you're going to have to get comfortable with technology because it will only become a bigger part of the education system (e.g. learning management systems, AI, digital communication, etc...).
Dr. Lisa Mastrangel Ph.D.
Associate Professor of English, Director of CompositionCentenary University
Department is Business, Media, and Writing
How do you envision technology impacting Preschool Assistants in the next 5 years?
Dr. Lisa Mastrangel Ph.D.: Because many of the jobs will be online, technological skills will be vital.
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 Preschool Assistants 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.
Terry Chvala
Senior Lecturer of Early Childhood EducationUniversity of Houston-Clear Lake
College of Education
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Preschool Assistant job market given the pandemic?
Terry Chvala: 1. Nationwide (not locally): In certain parts of the country where education is highly valued, and pay is aligned with that value, there is a growing trend that requires all teachers to have a Master's Degree to teach in the public schools. (This is not trending in TX or in our local Houston region).
2. Blended learning
3. Personalized learning
4. Covid-19 related trends:
-self care
-connecting students to learning in new ways
-how to reach and engage students in online and blended learning
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Preschool Assistants to find work opportunities?
Terry Chvala: Although oil & gas continue to suffer locally and regionally, there is still a growing trend that people continue to move to Texas. So this area continues to be a positive job market for educators and other industry. Most area school districts have become fairly competitive (with each other, but nowhere near northern and northeastern states and many others) on their starting teacher pay.
What skills stand out on Preschool Assistant resumes?
Terry Chvala: Growing trend in "soft marketable skills," professional dispositions (body language, active listening, confidence, modeling professional attributes, etc.) (some more so due to Covid, but will continue to be skills that are sought after).
Lisa Diebel
Associate Professor of InstructionOhio University
Human and Consumer Sciences
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Preschool Assistant job market given the pandemic?
Lisa Diebel: I expect my current FCS teacher education student to have at least one teaching offer, if not multiple requests, at the end of the spring semester. Two of my community leadership students, who graduate this weekend, have reasonable job offers. One at a hospital daycare center as an assistant teacher and another at a local grocery market as a manager. Much to my delight, the pandemic has not stopped their ability to move forward.
What skills stand out on Preschool Assistant resumes?
Lisa Diebel: I think when you can show experiential experiences and an internship, you will stand out. An error-free resume is also critical.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Preschool Assistants to find work opportunities?
Lisa Diebel: I think FCS, ED, and CL graduates will successfully find employment anywhere in the US. An FCS degree offers a lot of versatility.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Preschool Assistants 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 Preschool Assistants?
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.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Preschool Assistants?
Dr. Diana Jones: Enduring impact -- Yes. I think graduates will look back at this time and remember some of the isolation, stress, and emotional turmoil BUT also realize how resilient they are and how they are capable of rising to the challenges of life. I would also like to believe that the impact will cause them to be grateful for what we have in our lives and live in the moment.
Josh MacIvor-Andersen
Assistant Professor of EnglishSaint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Languages and Literature Department
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Preschool Assistants?
Josh MacIvor-Andersen: I doubt the world will ever feel exactly the same as it did pre-COVID. Global trauma, undoubtedly, leaves some scar tissue that never fully heals. But in terms of writing graduates, I think the massive shift to distance work has paved the way for more gainful employment, without geographic restrictions. In other words, young professionals will likely find more flexibility to work from wherever they are as they seek to join teams in communications, marketing, PR, content creation, and editing.
Art Dobbs
PrincipalTupelo High School
What general advice would you give to a Preschool Assistant?
Art Dobbs: With today's job market, to be competitive, students must possess a variety of hard and soft skills. At Tupelo High School, we offer our students every opportunity - from Advanced Placement and Dual Credit courses to the best Career-Tech facility in the state - to succeed. When our students graduate, we know they are ready for the next step toward their future.