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What is an elementary education teacher and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Diana Jones
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being an elementary education teacher. For example, did you know that they make an average of $23.55 an hour? That's $48,987 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 4% and produce 20,600 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to an elementary education teacher?

Dr. Diana JonesDr. Diana Jones LinkedIn profile

Chair, Department of Kinesiology, Anderson University

General advice: I would encourage graduates to find a mentor who can guide them in their careers, stay on top of the latest technology, not be too hard on themselves, be flexible, be team players, be present, and care about their students.
ScoreElementary Education TeacherUS Average
Salary
3.8

Avg. Salary $48,987

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
9.1

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
5.9
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.37%

Asian 3.60%

Black or African American 9.22%

Hispanic or Latino 11.44%

Unknown 3.95%

White 71.42%

Gender

female 82.51%

male 17.49%

Age - 42
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42
Stress level
9.1

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.6

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
5.5

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Elementary education teacher career paths

Key steps to become an elementary education teacher

  1. Explore elementary education teacher education requirements

    Most common elementary education teacher degrees

    Bachelor's

    72.6 %

    Master's

    20.5 %

    Associate

    4.4 %
  2. Start to develop specific elementary education teacher skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Elementary Education21.98%
    Classroom Management12.30%
    Professional Development6.65%
    Math4.62%
    Core Curriculum4.50%
  3. Research elementary education teacher duties and responsibilities

    • Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
    • Plan and implement lessons in reading, math, arts and humanities, social studies, science, and health.
    • Certify ESL teacher as well.
    • Collaborate with preschool autism classroom staff and lead teacher to enhance and encourage social skills with peers.
  4. Prepare your elementary education teacher resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your elementary education teacher resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an elementary education teacher resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable elementary education teacher resume templates

    Build a professional elementary education teacher resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your elementary education teacher resume.
    Elementary Education Teacher Resume
    Elementary Education Teacher Resume
    Elementary Education Teacher Resume
    Elementary Education Teacher Resume
    Elementary Education Teacher Resume
    Elementary Education Teacher Resume
    Elementary Education Teacher Resume
    Elementary Education Teacher Resume
    Elementary Education Teacher Resume
  5. Apply for elementary education teacher jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an elementary education teacher job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first elementary education teacher job

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Are you an elementary education teacher?

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Average elementary education teacher salary

The average elementary education teacher salary in the United States is $48,987 per year or $24 per hour. Elementary education teacher salaries range between $41,000 and $57,000 per year.

Average elementary education teacher salary
$48,987 Yearly
$23.55 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do elementary education teachers rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

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2 stars

1 star

Elementary education teacher reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2023
Pros

The kids light up my days.

Cons

The demand and low pay. Teachers have families, too.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2022
Pros

You got to work with learners who will love you unconditionally. It gives a great satisfaction to be able to help them. I love learners with Special Needs and I am a Mom of one.

Cons

I can't say, maybe because there is none.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2022
Pros

Kids, teaching lessons, co-teachers, hours, weekends off, salary, holidays off, summers off, paid sick and personal days

Cons

Administration, observations, being told what to teach and HOW to teach it, expecting us to participate in things we might not want to or have the time for, staff meetings with no substance


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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