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Lead teacher vs co-teacher

The differences between lead teachers and co-teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a co-teacher has an average salary of $35,769, 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 a co-teacher are classroom management, child care, and mathematics.

Lead teacher vs co-teacher overview

Lead TeacherCo-Teacher
Yearly salary$33,652$35,769
Hourly rate$16.18$17.20
Growth rate5%4%
Number of jobs56,13170,919
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age4342
Years of experience2-

Lead teacher vs co-teacher salary

Lead teachers and co-teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Lead TeacherCo-Teacher
Average salary$33,652$35,769
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $50,000Between $21,000 And $58,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew York
Best paying companySuccess Preparatory AcademyRutgers University
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between lead teacher and co-teacher education

There are a few differences between a lead teacher and a co-teacher in terms of educational background:

Lead TeacherCo-Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorEarly Childhood EducationEarly Childhood Education
Most common collegeSan Diego State UniversityNorthwestern University

Lead teacher vs co-teacher demographics

Here are the differences between lead teachers' and co-teachers' demographics:

Lead TeacherCo-Teacher
Average age4342
Gender ratioMale, 10.2% Female, 89.8%Male, 16.8% Female, 83.2%
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, 9.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 3.7% White, 69.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage12%9%

Differences between lead teacher and co-teacher 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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Co-teacher example responsibilities.

  • Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
  • Develop lesson plans for Pre-K students.
  • Be up to date with any and all credentials including CPR.
  • Plan and implement mathematics and literacy curriculum base on test scores and the learning needs of individual children.
  • Assist in carrying out all activities as described in the student's IEP under the supervision of the classroom teacher.
  • Work in conjunction with 4th grade colleagues to implement IEP directives including curricular goals, differentiation of curriculum and testing modifications.
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Lead teacher vs co-teacher skills

Common lead teacher skills
  • CPR, 19%
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • Child Care, 17%
  • Child Development, 15%
  • Classroom Management, 11%
  • Pre-K, 3%
Common co-teacher skills
  • Classroom Management, 33%
  • Child Care, 9%
  • Mathematics, 8%
  • Professional Development, 5%
  • Language Arts, 5%
  • Preschool Classroom, 4%

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