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Head teacher vs master teacher

The differences between head teachers and master teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a head teacher has an average salary of $51,715, which is higher than the $38,699 average annual salary of a master teacher.

The top three skills for a head teacher include classroom management, child care and creative curriculum. The most important skills for a master teacher are classroom management, math, and instructional strategies.

Head teacher vs master teacher overview

Head TeacherMaster Teacher
Yearly salary$51,715$38,699
Hourly rate$24.86$18.61
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs73,75675,390
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

What does a head teacher do?

A headteacher is responsible for monitoring the students' overall learning process, managing and evaluating the performance of school staff, implementing effective learning strategies for the students, encouraging them to reach their maximum potential, and gain self-confidence. Headteachers often lead meetings, especially discussing school activities and the child's performance to their parents, implementing safety policies, and enforcing disciplinary actions for policy violations. A headteacher must have excellent leadership and communication skills to handle the students' needs and support their high-quality performance.

What does a master teacher do?

A master teacher has mastered the basics of teaching and goes the extra mile to ensure every student has a positive learning experience. Their duties include conducting regular monitoring, adjusting their teaching strategy where necessary, engaging in systematic problem solving, and teaching personal accountability. Qualifications for this position include a master teacher certification.

Head teacher vs master teacher salary

Head teachers and master teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Head TeacherMaster Teacher
Average salary$51,715$38,699
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $83,000Between $25,000 And $59,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MANew York, NY
Highest paying stateMassachusettsNew York
Best paying companyGrand View HealthNew York University
Best paying industryRetailEducation

Differences between head teacher and master teacher education

There are a few differences between a head teacher and a master teacher in terms of educational background:

Head TeacherMaster Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common majorEarly Childhood EducationElementary Education
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Head teacher vs master teacher demographics

Here are the differences between head teachers' and master teachers' demographics:

Head TeacherMaster Teacher
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 13.8% Female, 86.2%Male, 18.6% Female, 81.4%
Race ratioBlack 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, 9.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 3.7% White, 69.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between head teacher and master teacher duties and responsibilities

Head teacher example responsibilities.

  • Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
  • Plan and implement cohesive, age-appropriate curriculum for severely disable children in Pre-K program.
  • Develop and implement age-appropriate curriculum for toddler program, ensuring that appropriate opportunities are provided in order to maximize learning potential.
  • Set up the physical environment to meet the changing needs of infants and toddlers in accordance with ECERS and ITERS-R assessments.

Master teacher example responsibilities.

  • Execute and manage student IEP paperwork and requirements
  • Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
  • Provide city-wide staff development to teachers during mathematics textbook implementation.
  • Develop summer science camp and focus field trip curriculum for pre-K through middle school levels.
  • Develop and implement weekly lesson plans that are consistent with the program curriculum and pre-K guidelines.
  • Implement multiple curricula for 5th and 6th grade students, including mathematics, science, literacy, and history.
  • Show more

Head teacher vs master teacher skills

Common head teacher skills
  • Classroom Management, 26%
  • Child Care, 13%
  • Creative Curriculum, 5%
  • Language Arts, 5%
  • Pre-K, 5%
  • Mathematics, 5%
Common master teacher skills
  • Classroom Management, 17%
  • Math, 7%
  • Instructional Strategies, 7%
  • Mathematics, 5%
  • Team Planning, 5%
  • Child Care, 5%

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