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The differences between kindergarten teachers and 2nd grade teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a kindergarten teacher has an average salary of $48,029, which is higher than the $46,850 average annual salary of a 2nd grade teacher.
The top three skills for a kindergarten teacher include classroom management, math and professional development. The most important skills for a 2nd grade teacher are classroom management, math, and professional development.
| Kindergarten Teacher | 2nd Grade Teacher | |
| Yearly salary | $48,029 | $46,850 |
| Hourly rate | $23.09 | $22.52 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 65,972 | 59,077 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 40 | 42 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
Kindergarten teachers teach young children social and emotional skills, reading skills, music, and personal hygiene. They prepare these children for elementary school and certain life aspects. It is also their responsibility to teach children good classroom behavior, plan the curriculum daily and the whole school year, and conduct parent-teach meetings. Kindergarten teachers should encourage children to be observant of activities and give them the chance to ask questions and find the answers. They should also work with parents in putting an action plan to help children with emotional or developmental problems.
A 2nd-grade teacher specializes in educating young children, providing them with a safe and efficient classroom environment. One of their primary responsibilities is to devise strategies to improve the students' academic knowledge and interpersonal skills, craft effective lesson plans, and enhance their reading and writing skills. Moreover, a teacher must assess the students' progress by conducting tests and quizzes, encouraging them to learn through various activities, monitoring the children's behavior, and reporting to their parents should there be any concerns.
Kindergarten teachers and 2nd grade teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Kindergarten Teacher | 2nd Grade Teacher | |
| Average salary | $48,029 | $46,850 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $62,000 | Between $32,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | Palo Alto, CA | San Pablo, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Maryland |
| Best paying company | Brooklyn Waldorf School | Irving Isd |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Education |
There are a few differences between a kindergarten teacher and a 2nd grade teacher in terms of educational background:
| Kindergarten Teacher | 2nd Grade Teacher | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Elementary Education | Elementary Education |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between kindergarten teachers' and 2nd grade teachers' demographics:
| Kindergarten Teacher | 2nd Grade Teacher | |
| Average age | 40 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 8.2% Female, 91.8% | Male, 17.2% Female, 82.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 6.1% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 3.7% White, 69.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 9% |