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The differences between elementary classroom teachers and pre-k teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an elementary classroom teacher has an average salary of $48,105, which is higher than the $40,301 average annual salary of a pre-k teacher.
The top three skills for an elementary classroom teacher include instructional materials, student learning and data analysis. The most important skills for a pre-k teacher are kids, math, and language arts.
| Elementary Classroom Teacher | Pre-K Teacher | |
| Yearly salary | $48,105 | $40,301 |
| Hourly rate | $23.13 | $19.38 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 69,970 | 60,464 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
An Elementary Classroom Teacher is in charge of delivering classroom instruction to help students learn and develop their skills and potentials. Their responsibilities include performing research, preparing lesson plans and learning materials, organizing activities to enhance the students' interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, conducting quizzes and examinations, computing grades, and developing teaching strategies according to the students' needs. Elementary Classroom Teachers monitor the progress and behavior of students, all while maintaining a safe and healthy classroom environment for everyone.
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.
Elementary classroom teachers and pre-k teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Elementary Classroom Teacher | Pre-K Teacher | |
| Average salary | $48,105 | $40,301 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $61,000 | Between $28,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | Jersey City, NJ | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | New York |
| Best paying company | Shelby County Board Of Education | Faulkner University |
| Best paying industry | Education | - |
There are a few differences between an elementary classroom teacher and a pre-k teacher in terms of educational background:
| Elementary Classroom Teacher | Pre-K Teacher | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Elementary Education | Early Childhood Education |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between elementary classroom teachers' and pre-k teachers' demographics:
| Elementary Classroom Teacher | Pre-K Teacher | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 17.1% Female, 82.9% | Male, 8.5% Female, 91.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 3.7% White, 69.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | 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 | 9% | 9% |