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The differences between instructional 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 $30,993 average annual salary of an instructional aide.
The top three skills for an instructional aide include work ethic, CPR and math. The most important skills for a pre-k teacher are kids, math, and language arts.
| Instructional Aide | Pre-K Teacher | |
| Yearly salary | $30,993 | $40,301 |
| Hourly rate | $14.90 | $19.38 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 60,846 | 60,464 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
An instructional aide focuses on performing support-related tasks for a teacher or faculty member. They are primarily responsible for helping teachers maintain a safe and healthy learning environment, recording attendance, creating visual aids or presentations, participating in the preparation of lesson plans and tests, and assisting students who are having difficulties in a particular task or lesson. An instructional aide may also take part in counseling and supervising students' behavior during class activities, all while adhering to the school's policies and regulations.
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.
Instructional aides and pre-k teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Instructional Aide | Pre-K Teacher | |
| Average salary | $30,993 | $40,301 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $38,000 | Between $28,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | Columbus, OH | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | New York |
| Best paying company | Boston Public Schools | Faulkner University |
| Best paying industry | Education | - |
There are a few differences between an instructional aide and a pre-k teacher in terms of educational background:
| Instructional Aide | Pre-K Teacher | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Early Childhood Education |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between instructional aides' and pre-k teachers' demographics:
| Instructional Aide | Pre-K Teacher | |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 24.9% Female, 75.1% | Male, 8.5% Female, 91.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 25.2% Asian, 7.1% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% | 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% |