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Child development instructor vs lead teacher

The differences between child development instructors 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 instructor and a lead teacher. Additionally, a child development instructor has an average salary of $41,124, which is higher than the $33,652 average annual salary of a lead teacher.

The top three skills for a child development instructor include childhood, CPR and professional development. The most important skills for a lead teacher are CPR, customer service, and child care.

Child development instructor vs lead teacher overview

Child Development InstructorLead Teacher
Yearly salary$41,124$33,652
Hourly rate$19.77$16.18
Growth rate15%5%
Number of jobs81,81456,131
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Average age4043
Years of experience22

Child development instructor vs lead teacher salary

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

Child Development InstructorLead Teacher
Average salary$41,124$33,652
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $56,000Between $22,000 And $50,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Success Preparatory Academy
Best paying industry--

Differences between child development instructor and lead teacher education

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

Child Development InstructorLead Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Most common majorPsychologyEarly Childhood Education
Most common collegeFairfield UniversitySan Diego State University

Child development instructor vs lead teacher demographics

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

Child Development InstructorLead Teacher
Average age4043
Gender ratioMale, 21.5% Female, 78.5%Male, 10.2% Female, 89.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 20.3% Asian, 4.9% White, 61.2% 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 instructor and lead teacher duties and responsibilities

Child development instructor example responsibilities.

  • Advise students on the necessary requirements for CDA renewal.
  • Cover the fundamental concepts of chemistry and biology including cell biology, metabolism, microbiology, genetics, evolution and histology.
  • Meet and greet parents of infants and toddlers, work with abc's, colors, numbers and shapes.

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 instructor vs lead teacher skills

Common child development instructor skills
  • Childhood, 35%
  • CPR, 14%
  • Professional Development, 12%
  • Syllabus, 8%
  • Advisory Committee, 7%
  • Classroom Environment, 7%
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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