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Lead teacher vs assistant department head

The differences between lead teachers and assistant department heads can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a lead teacher, becoming an assistant department head takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an assistant department head has an average salary of $65,309, which is higher than the $33,652 average annual salary of a lead teacher.

The top three skills for a lead teacher include CPR, customer service and child care. The most important skills for an assistant department head are ladders, sales floor, and customer service.

Lead teacher vs assistant department head overview

Lead TeacherAssistant Department Head
Yearly salary$33,652$65,309
Hourly rate$16.18$31.40
Growth rate5%-
Number of jobs56,13141,690
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age4343
Years of experience26

What does a lead teacher do?

The Lead Teacher works with parents to resolve student issues and train new teachers on effective teaching techniques. A Lead Teacher is a licensed teacher with extensive teaching experience and preferably has a master's in education or related studies. They are an integral part of a school's faculty and the principal's arm in drafting policies for implementation.

What does an assistant department head do?

An assistant department head is responsible for monitoring the operations of the department, together with the department head. Assistant department heads' duties include managing clients' inquiries and complaints, developing strategic solutions to improve clients' satisfaction, and identifying business opportunities to increase revenues and the business' profitability. They will also work on monitoring the staff's performance and addressing their concerns, creating sales reports, maintaining budget goals, and organizing training. An assistant department head must have excellent leadership and communication skills to help in achieving the department's objectives.

Lead teacher vs assistant department head salary

Lead teachers and assistant department heads have different pay scales, as shown below.

Lead TeacherAssistant Department Head
Average salary$33,652$65,309
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $50,000Between $39,000 And $106,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CACentereach, NY
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew York
Best paying companySuccess Preparatory AcademyPrinceton University
Best paying industry-Energy

Differences between lead teacher and assistant department head education

There are a few differences between a lead teacher and an assistant department head in terms of educational background:

Lead TeacherAssistant Department Head
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common majorEarly Childhood EducationBusiness
Most common collegeSan Diego State UniversitySUNY College of Technology at Delhi

Lead teacher vs assistant department head demographics

Here are the differences between lead teachers' and assistant department heads' demographics:

Lead TeacherAssistant Department Head
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 10.2% Female, 89.8%Male, 54.9% Female, 45.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 3.5% White, 72.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 7.4% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage12%9%

Differences between lead teacher and assistant department head duties and responsibilities

Lead teacher example responsibilities.

  • Plan and implement theme and project-base lessons that incorporate math, literacy, science, physical development, and social/emotional skills.
  • Cultivate and foster safe and effective learning environment conducive for Pre-K students.
  • Model positive behavior management techniques through daily contact with children and early childhood staff in the classroom.
  • Develop lesson plans on a bi-weekly basis that comply with early childhood standards and relate to the weekly theme.
  • Require CPR certification and ongoing continuing education.
  • Develop programs that introduce math and literacy concepts.
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Assistant department head example responsibilities.

  • Generate and implement new rules and regulations for the disciplinary department which lead to streamlining the process for separating challenge sailors.
  • Manage a high volume of patient information from authorizing diagnostic procedures and scheduling patients.
  • Perform all duties require while working in a retail environment such as POS cash handling, customer service and sales.
  • Stoop, climb ladders, and lift heavy loads during set-up for events.
  • Administer Microsoft PowerPoint training lectures and meeting/ briefings require by OSHA and NAVOSH.
  • Collaborate with patients, Tricare, and providers DOD and civilian coordinating specialty care referrals.
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Lead teacher vs assistant department head skills

Common lead teacher skills
  • CPR, 19%
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • Child Care, 17%
  • Child Development, 15%
  • Classroom Management, 11%
  • Pre-K, 3%
Common assistant department head skills
  • Ladders, 29%
  • Sales Floor, 28%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Curriculum Development, 3%
  • Professional Development, 3%
  • Loss Prevention, 3%

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