Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education vs. Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary: Who Earns More?
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education out-earn Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary by $1K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education land at $38,140 and Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary at $36,780. The education gap is real: preschool teachers, except special education programs typically require bachelor's degree, while teaching assistants, except postsecondary programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education is District of Columbia ($62,150); for Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary it's Washington ($49,120).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education or Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary?
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education earn more nationally. The median is $38,140 for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education versus $36,780 for Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary, a difference of $1K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education or Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary?
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education has the better 10-year outlook at 4.1% projected growth, compared to -1.5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education or Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary?
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education typically requires bachelor's degree. Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education get paid the most?
District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education at $62,150/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education vs. Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education earn $62,150 vs. $46,920 for Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.