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Lead teacher vs instructor

The differences between lead teachers and instructors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an instructor has an average salary of $53,426, 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 instructor are customer service, CPR, and course curriculum.

Lead teacher vs instructor overview

Lead TeacherInstructor
Yearly salary$33,652$53,426
Hourly rate$16.18$25.69
Growth rate5%12%
Number of jobs56,13139,273
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
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 an instructor do?

Instructors are responsible for imparting knowledge to students. They are well-versed in different topics related to their area of teaching. They prepare lessons, create presentation materials and other collaterals, and present these to the students. They manage the classroom and ensure that students are attentive. Instructors are also responsible for creating ways to check the students' knowledge retention through schoolwork and examinations. They also evaluate their teaching style as well to further improve their skills for the next batch of students. Instructors should be patient, creative, and well-versed in classroom management.

Lead teacher vs instructor salary

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

Lead TeacherInstructor
Average salary$33,652$53,426
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $50,000Between $30,000 And $94,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateCaliforniaConnecticut
Best paying companySuccess Preparatory AcademyKern Community College District
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between lead teacher and instructor education

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

Lead TeacherInstructor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorEarly Childhood EducationBusiness
Most common collegeSan Diego State UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Lead teacher vs instructor demographics

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

Lead TeacherInstructor
Average age4342
Gender ratioMale, 10.2% Female, 89.8%Male, 51.2% Female, 48.8%
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, 10.9% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 9.5% White, 56.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage12%11%

Differences between lead teacher and instructor 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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Instructor example responsibilities.

  • Discipline kids when necessary, and manage lifeguarding duties during swimming portions of the camp.
  • Own and manage a small business as a CPR and first aid instructor and consultant for diverse clients.
  • Instruct all areas of massage therapy program including anatomy, physiology, pathology, contraindications and ethics.
  • Teach a broad range of ESL classes, such as pronunciation, grammar, and conversation classes.
  • Develop curricula for college-level philosophy and ethics courses with clear expectations and objectives in mind.
  • Plan and provide human anatomy and physiology course instruction and laboratory activities for students in the nursing program.
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Lead teacher vs instructor skills

Common lead teacher skills
  • CPR, 19%
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • Child Care, 17%
  • Child Development, 15%
  • Classroom Management, 11%
  • Pre-K, 3%
Common instructor skills
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • CPR, 11%
  • Course Curriculum, 8%
  • Professional Development, 7%
  • Classroom Management, 5%
  • Student Learning, 4%

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