← Education, Science & Public Service
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
SOC 25-2011 · Education, Science & Public Service
jobs in Hamilton County, 2026
estimated openings each year
median pay in Hamilton County
projected job growth
Source: Lightcast Q1 2026 occupation snapshot, Hamilton County, IN.
What this job pays in the Indianapolis area
Half of workers earn more than the median, half earn less. The range below runs from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
| Point in the range | Per year | Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $28,990 | $13.94 |
| 25th percentile | $32,310 | $15.53 |
| Median (middle) | $37,030 | $17.80 |
| 75th percentile | $45,140 | $21.70 |
| 90th percentile | $51,740 | $24.87 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release, Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood MSA. These are metro figures; BLS does not publish a Hamilton County wage by occupation. "Not published" means the federal source suppressed or top-coded that value.
What you need to get started
Most common education: A high school diploma or GED.
How much preparation: Medium preparation. Training after high school, an apprenticeship, or one to two years of experience.
Source: O*NET 30.2 database, U.S. Department of Labor (pinned vintage; survey rows dated 2021 to 2024).
Earn while you learn
You may be able to train for this job through a registered apprenticeship, a paid role where you earn a wage while you learn on the job. Our region counted 147 active registered apprenticeships in this occupation in 2025.
Source: Lightcast Analyst, Apprenticeships Table (Beta), 5 Indiana counties (Hamilton, Marion, Boone, Madison, Tipton), 2020 to 2025. 2025 is partial-year.
Where this role can lead
Occupations that ask for much the same skills and typically pay more, with how pay compares. These are skills matches, not a record of individual people moving.
| Occupation | Match score | Monthly postings | Typical pay change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare | 93 of 100 | 18.7 | +$19,633 per year (about +54%) |
| Childcare Workers | 88 of 100 | 25.7 | +$8,572 per year (about +24%) |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | 87 of 100 | 121.6 | +$2,201 per year (about +6%) |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | 79 of 100 | 6.3 | +$18,577 per year (about +51%) |
| Self-Enrichment Teachers | 79 of 100 | 28.7 | +$24,277 per year (about +67%) |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | 75 of 100 | 27.8 | +$12,769 per year (about +35%) |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 74 of 100 | 95.8 | +$26,802 per year (about +74%) |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | 74 of 100 | 39.2 | +$24,501 per year (about +67%) |
Common paths into this role
Occupations whose skills line up with Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education and that typically pay less, so they are a common place to build from. Matched on skills, not on anyone's recorded move.
| Occupation | Match score | Monthly postings | Typical pay change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | 87 of 100 | 121.6 | +$2,201 per year (about +6%) |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | 59 of 100 | 6.1 | -$1,429 per year |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | 52 of 100 | 17.9 | -$2,022 per year (about -6%) |
Recommended next moves
Moves with real local demand and a meaningful pay gain.
| Move to | Pay gain per year | Monthly postings |
|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | +$26,802 (about +74%) | 95.8 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | +$24,501 (about +67%) | 39.2 |
Source: Lightcast Career Pathways, Q1 2026, Indianapolis MSA (network built July 2026 from 64 exports).
Local training that can get you there
- Ivy Tech Community College
Post-secondary
Associate degrees, certificates, workforce credentials across IT, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, business, skilled trades.
Source: IHC program registry, curated April 2026. Programs decide their own eligibility and enrollment.
Where does this leave you?
Reading about a job is one thing. Whether you can get it, what it would pay you, and who near you hires for it are another. Pick whichever of these is true and we will work it out.
The first prices your experience and shows everywhere it could take you. The second shows the jobs people hold before moving into this one. Both are free and neither asks for a CV.