Post job

Head teacher vs support staff

The differences between head teachers and desk clerks supervisors 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 $31,772 average annual salary of a support staff.

The top three skills for a head teacher include classroom management, child care and creative curriculum. The most important skills for a support staff are customer service, developmental disabilities, and mental health.

Head teacher vs support staff overview

Head TeacherSupport Staff
Yearly salary$51,715$31,772
Hourly rate$24.86$15.28
Growth rate4%36%
Number of jobs73,756161,915
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age4247
Years of experience-6

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 support staff do?

School support staff provide specialized instructional and student support while utilizing school facilities. They often include diverse staff members whose main role is to ensure that students learn in a supportive and safe learning environment. It is also their duty to enhance school climate by promoting the involvement of parent and family in education as well as to encourage trusting, positive student relationships. They should inhibit positive behavior and send uplifting messages to students as they often connect with them throughout the day.

Head teacher vs support staff salary

Head teachers and desk clerks supervisors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Head TeacherSupport Staff
Average salary$51,715$31,772
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $83,000Between $25,000 And $40,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsNew York
Best paying companyGrand View HealthLakeland Electric
Best paying industryRetailFinance

Differences between head teacher and support staff education

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

Head TeacherSupport Staff
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common majorEarly Childhood EducationBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityDuke University

Head teacher vs support staff demographics

Here are the differences between head teachers' and desk clerks supervisors' demographics:

Head TeacherSupport Staff
Average age4247
Gender ratioMale, 13.8% Female, 86.2%Male, 31.2% Female, 68.8%
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, 8.8% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 6.2% White, 62.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage9%8%

Differences between head teacher and support staff 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.

Support staff example responsibilities.

  • Manage SharePoint inventory repository and assign access levels to new hires as needed.
  • Provide companionship to the consumer.
  • Tutor students in various science courses, English and GED prep classes.
  • Maintain a safe, supportive and therapeutic environment which fosters growth and rehabilitation.
  • Work with students at various levels of mathematics knowledge within the same teaching environment.
  • Work with students who have graduated from the developmental mathematics program on more advance mathematics classes.
  • Show more

Head teacher vs support staff skills

Common head teacher skills
  • Classroom Management, 26%
  • Child Care, 13%
  • Creative Curriculum, 5%
  • Language Arts, 5%
  • Pre-K, 5%
  • Mathematics, 5%
Common support staff skills
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Developmental Disabilities, 7%
  • Mental Health, 6%
  • Meal Preparation, 6%
  • Direct Care, 6%
  • Home Maintenance, 6%

Browse education, training, and library jobs