Post job

Kindergarten teacher vs teacher

The differences between kindergarten teachers and 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 $47,989 average annual salary of a teacher.

The top three skills for a kindergarten teacher include classroom management, math and professional development. The most important skills for a teacher are ESL, handle scheduling, and kids.

Kindergarten teacher vs teacher overview

Kindergarten TeacherTeacher
Yearly salary$48,029$47,989
Hourly rate$23.09$23.07
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs65,97271,918
Job satisfaction-4.14
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4042
Years of experience--

What does a kindergarten teacher do?

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.

What does a teacher do?

Being a teacher is one of the most passionate professions, among others. Teachers educate, motivate, and guide every generation of learners to prepare them for the real world. Every teacher is unique and has their own teaching styles and methods depending on the subject they teach and the age of their students. Oftentimes they also function as a parent, counselor, coach, friend, and even a lawmaker. There is essentially no limit to the roles a teacher portrays.

Kindergarten teacher vs teacher salary

Kindergarten teachers and teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Kindergarten TeacherTeacher
Average salary$48,029$47,989
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $62,000Between $32,000 And $70,000
Highest paying CityPalo Alto, CABaltimore, MD
Highest paying stateHawaiiMaryland
Best paying companyBrooklyn Waldorf SchoolKing Low Heywood Thomas
Best paying industryFinanceEducation

Differences between kindergarten teacher and teacher education

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

Kindergarten TeacherTeacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorElementary EducationElementary Education
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Kindergarten teacher vs teacher demographics

Here are the differences between kindergarten teachers' and teachers' demographics:

Kindergarten TeacherTeacher
Average age4042
Gender ratioMale, 8.2% Female, 91.8%Male, 25.7% Female, 74.3%
Race ratioBlack 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, 10.1% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 3.7% White, 68.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage5%9%

Differences between kindergarten teacher and teacher duties and responsibilities

Kindergarten teacher example responsibilities.

  • Utilize PLC time to meet the needs of struggling and achieving students
  • Target at risk and high achieving students using levele readers and DRA strategies.
  • Present history and math PowerPoint lessons.
  • Serve on data teams to coordinate with ELA, math and RTI specialists to ensure student growth and success.
  • Develop daily literacy and math base learning centers to promote cooperative learning and independent practice.
  • Plan and teach an 1st and 2nd grade ELA unit.
  • Show more

Teacher example responsibilities.

  • Work closely with co-teacher to manage and co-teach curriculum to a large group.
  • Target at risk and high achieving students using levele readers and DRA strategies.
  • Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
  • Develop social studies and geography curriculum.
  • Provide kindergarten readiness in approaching phonemic awareness, phonics, and introductory math skills.
  • Attend and participate in ESL professional development activities, conferences/workshops, curriculum/program planning, & special events and activities.
  • Show more

Kindergarten teacher vs teacher skills

Common kindergarten teacher skills
  • Classroom Management, 27%
  • Math, 14%
  • Professional Development, 7%
  • Language Arts, 5%
  • Social Studies, 4%
  • Classroom Environment, 4%
Common teacher skills
  • ESL, 17%
  • Handle Scheduling, 15%
  • Kids, 12%
  • Classroom Management, 7%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Curriculum Development, 4%

Browse education, training, and library jobs