Kindergarten teachers, except special education
SOC Code: 25-2012
Kindergarten teachers, except special education carries a 30% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $61,430 and -1.6% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 117,200 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 30% AI exposure, Kindergarten teachers, except special education sits 7 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 30% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Kindergarten teachers, except special education sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Kindergarten teachers, except special education has ai exposure of 30%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Kindergarten teachers, except special education vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Kindergarten teachers, except special education is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Kindergarten teachers, except special education (SOC 25-2012) carries an AI exposure score of 30%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 117,200 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -1.6% change through 2034 - a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $61,430, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Bachelor's degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Kindergarten teachers, except special education. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order among students.
- 2. Prepare children for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
- 3. Instruct students individually and in groups, adapting teaching methods to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- 4. Teach basic skills, such as color, shape, number and letter recognition, personal hygiene, and social skills.
- 5. Demonstrate activities to children.
- 6. Read books to entire classes or to small groups.
- 7. Guide and counsel students with adjustment or academic problems or special academic interests.
- 8. Observe and evaluate children's performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- 9. Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate, and use, both in learning activities and in imaginative play.
- 10. Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help.
Key Skills Required
- Social Perceptiveness
- Instructing
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Learning Strategies
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Coordination
- Time Management
- Service Orientation
Knowledge Areas
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Psychology
- Mathematics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Sociology and Anthropology
- Public Safety and Security
- Administrative
- Therapy and Counseling
- Computers and Electronics
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Kindergarten teachers, except special education?
Kindergarten teachers, except special education has an AI exposure score of 30%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Kindergarten teachers, except special education?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Kindergarten teachers, except special education is projected to decline by 1.6% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 117,200 workers.
What skills are needed for Kindergarten teachers, except special education?
Key skills for Kindergarten teachers, except special education include Social Perceptiveness, Instructing, Active Listening, and others. Typical entry-level education is Bachelor's degree.
How much do Kindergarten teachers, except special education earn?
The median annual wage for Kindergarten teachers, except special education is $61,430, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Kindergarten teachers, except special education?
The typical entry-level education for Kindergarten teachers, except special education is Bachelor's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Kindergarten teachers, except special education?
Kindergarten teachers, except special education roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
Explore More on PlainWorkforce
Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).