What Do Kindergarten Teacher Do?
Career Description Teach elemental natural and social science, personal hygiene, music, art, and literature to kindergarten students. Promote physical, mental, and social development. May be required to hold State certification.
Daily Life Of a Kindergarten Teacher
- Maintain accurate and complete student records and prepare reports on children and activities as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
- Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.
- Demonstrate activities to children.
- Prepare for assigned classes and show written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisors.
- Confer with parents or guardians, other teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students’ behavioral and academic problems.
- Prepare materials, classrooms, and other indoor and outdoor spaces to facilitate creative play, learning and motor-skill activities, and safety.
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What a Kindergarten Teacher Should Know
These are the skills Kindergarten Teachers say are the most useful in their careers:
Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Learning Strategies: Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Related Job Titles
- Physical Education Teacher (PE Teacher)
- Instructor
- Title One Kindergarten Teacher
- Physical Fitness Teacher
- Classroom Teacher
Job Opportunities for Kindergarten Teachers
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 154,400 jobs in the United States for Kindergarten Teacher. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 12,300 new jobs for Kindergarten Teacher by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 16,700 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Kindergarten Teacher are Utah, Colorado, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Connecticut, Vermont, or Maine. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Kindergarten Teacher Make?
The typical yearly salary for Kindergarten Teachers is somewhere between $35,680 and $86,310.

Kindergarten Teachers who work in Connecticut, New York, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.
How much do Kindergarten Teachers make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $44,790 |
Alaska | $62,660 |
Arizona | $44,670 |
Arkansas | $46,180 |
California | $69,690 |
Colorado | $50,020 |
Connecticut | $77,220 |
Delaware | $60,140 |
District of Columbia | $54,940 |
Florida | $50,400 |
Georgia | $54,080 |
Hawaii | $36,170 |
Idaho | $50,790 |
Illinois | $55,660 |
Indiana | $51,290 |
Iowa | $53,200 |
Kansas | $51,230 |
Kentucky | $54,510 |
Louisiana | $50,540 |
Maine | $52,710 |
Maryland | $67,170 |
Massachusetts | $75,510 |
Michigan | $59,140 |
Minnesota | $60,580 |
Mississippi | $43,110 |
Missouri | $51,630 |
Montana | $52,730 |
Nebraska | $59,490 |
Nevada | $56,280 |
New Hampshire | $56,710 |
New Jersey | $67,400 |
New Mexico | $53,780 |
New York | $79,410 |
North Carolina | $46,490 |
North Dakota | $53,440 |
Ohio | $59,750 |
Oklahoma | $40,120 |
Oregon | $72,830 |
Pennsylvania | $62,510 |
Rhode Island | $65,530 |
South Carolina | $52,540 |
South Dakota | $41,900 |
Tennessee | $50,160 |
Texas | $54,780 |
Utah | $48,320 |
Vermont | $59,560 |
Virginia | $65,550 |
Washington | $62,330 |
West Virginia | $47,370 |
Wisconsin | $57,340 |
Wyoming | $57,390 |
What Tools do Kindergarten Teachers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Kindergarten Teachers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Children’s educational software
How do I Become a Kindergarten Teacher?
Learn what Kindergarten Teacher education requirements there are.

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where do Kindergarten Teachers Work?

Kindergarten Teachers work in the following industries:

Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Kindergarten Teacher might also be interested in the following careers:
Are you already one of the many Kindergarten Teacher in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
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