Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between classroom aides and pre-k teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a pre-k teacher has an average salary of $40,301, which is higher than the $28,832 average annual salary of a classroom aide.
The top three skills for a classroom aide include autism, CPR and classroom environment. The most important skills for a pre-k teacher are kids, math, and language arts.
| Classroom Aide | Pre-K Teacher | |
| Yearly salary | $28,832 | $40,301 |
| Hourly rate | $13.86 | $19.38 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 71,960 | 60,464 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
Classroom aides or teacher's aides are found in special education centers and schools. Some of their many roles include supervising field trips, attendance checking, and preparing classroom materials. They help the teachers by assisting students who need extra attention to keep up with the lessons. Being very patient and proficient in ASL are skills that all of them need to have, especially when working with students in the special education spectrum. They should be very critical to detail to accurately track the progress of the student under their supervision and discuss them with the teachers and parents.
Pre-K teachers play an essential role in the lives of young children ages three to five years old by developing and nurturing their interest in subjects appropriate for their age. They promote a creative learning environment and encourage social interactions among students while providing the fundamental educational foundation that will prepare them for a successful start to kindergarten. They are responsible for overseeing children during their mealtimes, reinforcing personal hygiene, and developing children's social skills. Pre-K teachers also plan curriculum and work with other school staff members.
Classroom aides and pre-k teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Classroom Aide | Pre-K Teacher | |
| Average salary | $28,832 | $40,301 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $35,000 | Between $28,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | Danvers, MA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | New York |
| Best paying company | Mt. Hood Community College | Faulkner University |
| Best paying industry | Education | - |
There are a few differences between a classroom aide and a pre-k teacher in terms of educational background:
| Classroom Aide | Pre-K Teacher | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Early Childhood Education |
| Most common college | Duke University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between classroom aides' and pre-k teachers' demographics:
| Classroom Aide | Pre-K Teacher | |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 16.1% Female, 83.9% | Male, 8.5% Female, 91.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 8.8% White, 60.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4% | Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 3.7% White, 69.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 9% |