Preschool teachers teach young children basic skills such as colors, shapes, numbers and letters, plan a curriculum around child development, organize activities, set routines for play and rest, watch for signs of emotional or developmental problems and keep parents informed. The work is hands-on and centered on small children.
The short answer: very low exposure, with growth projected. The ILO's 2025 index rates early childhood educators as not exposed, with a score of 0.21. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4 percent growth for preschool teachers from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as average, with about 66,700 openings a year. Projections are estimates, not guarantees.
How exposed preschool teachers are
The International Labour Organization scores occupations' tasks from 0 (cannot be automated with generative AI) to 1 (could be done without a human operator), and groups them into gradients from 1 to 4, with 4 the most exposed; below them sit minimal exposure and not exposed (ILO Working Paper 140, 2025).
| Occupation (ISCO-08) | ILO category | Mean task score (0 to 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Educators | Not exposed | 0.21 |
What the BLS projects
| Occupation | Projected change 2025 to 2035 | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool teachers | Grow 4% | About 66,700 |
The BLS says early childhood education is important for a child's intellectual and social development, and that more preschool teachers are projected to be needed to meet the demand for it. Many projected openings come from replacing workers who leave or retire.
Where AI is helping
- Drafting lesson and activity ideas for a teacher to adapt.
- Writing parent updates and newsletters.
- Organizing records of progress, routines and interests.
What stays with preschool teachers
- Care and attention: working with children in groups or one on one.
- Noticing problems: watching for emotional or developmental concerns and raising them with parents.
- Routines: keeping each day balanced between activity and rest.
- Checking AI help: generated activities and notes can be wrong or unsuitable, which NIST calls confabulation (NIST AI 600-1). See checking AI output.
How the job is changing
The BLS expects steady demand for early childhood education. AI can help with planning and paperwork, but the time spent with children stays with the teacher. This page is general information, not career advice.
See also will AI replace childcare workers?, will AI replace childcare center directors? and will AI replace teacher assistants?
Pay and how to get in
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual pay for preschool teachers at $38,140 in May 2025, against $50,980 for all workers. The typical education needed to enter is: associate's degree. See how this job compares in AI exposure by pay and AI exposure by education level.
Questions and answers
Will AI replace preschool teachers?
Not on current projections. The BLS projects 4 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, with about 66,700 openings a year.
How exposed are preschool teachers to AI?
The ILO rates early childhood educators as not exposed, with a score of 0.21.
What drives demand?
The BLS points to demand for early childhood education, which it says is important for intellectual and social development.
What do preschool teachers do?
They teach basic skills, plan a curriculum, organize activities, set routines and keep parents informed.