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Lead teacher vs head teacher

The differences between lead teachers and head teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a head teacher has an average salary of $51,715, 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 head teacher are classroom management, child care, and creative curriculum.

Lead teacher vs head teacher overview

Lead TeacherHead Teacher
Yearly salary$33,652$51,715
Hourly rate$16.18$24.86
Growth rate5%4%
Number of jobs56,13173,756
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Average age4342
Years of experience2-

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 a head teacher do?

A headteacher is responsible for monitoring the students' overall learning process, managing and evaluating the performance of school staff, implementing effective learning strategies for the students, encouraging them to reach their maximum potential, and gain self-confidence. Headteachers often lead meetings, especially discussing school activities and the child's performance to their parents, implementing safety policies, and enforcing disciplinary actions for policy violations. A headteacher must have excellent leadership and communication skills to handle the students' needs and support their high-quality performance.

Lead teacher vs head teacher salary

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

Lead TeacherHead Teacher
Average salary$33,652$51,715
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $50,000Between $32,000 And $83,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CABoston, MA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaMassachusetts
Best paying companySuccess Preparatory AcademyGrand View Health
Best paying industry-Retail

Differences between lead teacher and head teacher education

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

Lead TeacherHead Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common majorEarly Childhood EducationEarly Childhood Education
Most common collegeSan Diego State UniversityNorthwestern University

Lead teacher vs head teacher demographics

Here are the differences between lead teachers' and head teachers' demographics:

Lead TeacherHead Teacher
Average age4342
Gender ratioMale, 10.2% Female, 89.8%Male, 13.8% Female, 86.2%
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, 10.0% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 3.7% White, 69.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage12%9%

Differences between lead teacher and head 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.
  • Show more

Head teacher example responsibilities.

  • Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
  • Plan and implement cohesive, age-appropriate curriculum for severely disable children in Pre-K program.
  • Develop and implement age-appropriate curriculum for toddler program, ensuring that appropriate opportunities are provided in order to maximize learning potential.
  • Set up the physical environment to meet the changing needs of infants and toddlers in accordance with ECERS and ITERS-R assessments.

Lead teacher vs head teacher skills

Common lead teacher skills
  • CPR, 19%
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • Child Care, 17%
  • Child Development, 15%
  • Classroom Management, 11%
  • Pre-K, 3%
Common head teacher skills
  • Classroom Management, 26%
  • Child Care, 13%
  • Creative Curriculum, 5%
  • Language Arts, 5%
  • Pre-K, 5%
  • Mathematics, 5%

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