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The differences between kindergarten teachers and pre-k 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 $40,301 average annual salary of a pre-k teacher.
The top three skills for a kindergarten teacher include classroom management, math and professional development. The most important skills for a pre-k teacher are kids, math, and language arts.
| Kindergarten Teacher | Pre-K Teacher | |
| Yearly salary | $48,029 | $40,301 |
| Hourly rate | $23.09 | $19.38 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 65,972 | 60,464 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| 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.
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.
Kindergarten teachers and pre-k teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Kindergarten Teacher | Pre-K Teacher | |
| Average salary | $48,029 | $40,301 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $62,000 | Between $28,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | Palo Alto, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | New York |
| Best paying company | Brooklyn Waldorf School | Faulkner University |
| Best paying industry | Finance | - |
There are a few differences between a kindergarten teacher and a pre-k teacher in terms of educational background:
| Kindergarten Teacher | Pre-K Teacher | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Elementary Education | Early Childhood Education |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between kindergarten teachers' and pre-k teachers' demographics:
| Kindergarten Teacher | Pre-K Teacher | |
| Average age | 40 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 8.2% Female, 91.8% | Male, 8.5% Female, 91.5% |
| 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, 12.6% Asian, 3.7% White, 69.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 9% |