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Child development associate teacher vs lead teacher

The differences between child development associate teachers and lead teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a child development associate teacher and a lead teacher. Additionally, a lead teacher has an average salary of $33,652, which is higher than the $31,223 average annual salary of a child development associate teacher.

The top three skills for a child development associate teacher include child development, emotional development and bulletin boards. The most important skills for a lead teacher are CPR, customer service, and child care.

Child development associate teacher vs lead teacher overview

Child Development Associate TeacherLead Teacher
Yearly salary$31,223$33,652
Hourly rate$15.01$16.18
Growth rate15%5%
Number of jobs107,68656,131
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Average age4043
Years of experience22

Child development associate teacher vs lead teacher salary

Child development associate teachers and lead teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Child Development Associate TeacherLead Teacher
Average salary$31,223$33,652
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $44,000Between $22,000 And $50,000
Highest paying CitySacramento, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsCalifornia
Best paying companyLong Beach City CollegeSuccess Preparatory Academy
Best paying industry--

Differences between child development associate teacher and lead teacher education

There are a few differences between a child development associate teacher and a lead teacher in terms of educational background:

Child Development Associate TeacherLead Teacher
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Most common majorEarly Childhood EducationEarly Childhood Education
Most common collegeSan Diego State UniversitySan Diego State University

Child development associate teacher vs lead teacher demographics

Here are the differences between child development associate teachers' and lead teachers' demographics:

Child Development Associate TeacherLead Teacher
Average age4043
Gender ratioMale, 2.6% Female, 97.4%Male, 10.2% Female, 89.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 13.6% Asian, 4.3% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 3.5% White, 72.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage5%12%

Differences between child development associate teacher and lead teacher duties and responsibilities

Child development associate teacher example responsibilities.

  • Design and apply activities to help children in achieving their goals and objectives in accordance with IFSP 's
  • Utilize play and interactive activities to develop language and vocabulary, introduce scientific and mathematical concepts and improve social skills.
  • Set up the physical environment to meet the changing needs of infants and toddlers in accordance with ECERS and ITERS-R assessments.

Lead teacher example responsibilities.

  • Plan and implement theme and project-base lessons that incorporate math, literacy, science, physical development, and social/emotional skills.
  • Cultivate and foster safe and effective learning environment conducive for Pre-K students.
  • Model positive behavior management techniques through daily contact with children and early childhood staff in the classroom.
  • Develop lesson plans on a bi-weekly basis that comply with early childhood standards and relate to the weekly theme.
  • Require CPR certification and ongoing continuing education.
  • Develop programs that introduce math and literacy concepts.
  • Show more

Child development associate teacher vs lead teacher skills

Common child development associate teacher skills
  • Child Development, 81%
  • Emotional Development, 7%
  • Bulletin Boards, 6%
  • Infant Care, 4%
  • CDA, 3%
Common lead teacher skills
  • CPR, 19%
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • Child Care, 17%
  • Child Development, 15%
  • Classroom Management, 11%
  • Pre-K, 3%

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