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Music teacher vs first grade teacher

The differences between music teachers and first grade teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a music teacher has an average salary of $51,978, which is higher than the $49,757 average annual salary of a first grade teacher.

The top three skills for a music teacher include classroom management, professional development and music education. The most important skills for a first grade teacher are classroom management, math, and social studies.

Music teacher vs first grade teacher overview

Music TeacherFirst Grade Teacher
Yearly salary$51,978$49,757
Hourly rate$24.99$23.92
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs54,42970,517
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

What does a music teacher do?

A music teacher is an individual who teaches music students about music theory, which includes sight-reading, the importance of scales, and instrumental techniques. Music teachers assist students with their instruments in preparing them for music examinations, auditions, and live performances while updating parents about the progress of their children's musical talents. They can work with a group of music students or direct school bands, choirs, and orchestras. Music teachers may work in organizations such as community centers, music shops, or schools.

What does a first grade teacher do?

First-grade teachers are the first instructors of children after they finished the kindergarten level. They play an essential role as children aged six to seven move to more structured learning. Generally, they set an exciting tone of learning for the fundamental skills in writing, reading, and math. These teachers create and give effective learning activities to the children to enhance their physical, emotional, intellectual, and social development. They have to effectively manage the classroom and ensure that all students are safe. Also, they give regular assessments to children to evaluate if their teaching method is effective and to determine the learning style of each child. Additionally, they need to communicate with parents, guardians, and principals on the progress of the children.

Music teacher vs first grade teacher salary

Music teachers and first grade teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Music TeacherFirst Grade Teacher
Average salary$51,978$49,757
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $70,000Between $37,000 And $65,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MANew York, NY
Highest paying stateMassachusettsNew York
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyShady Side Academy
Best paying industryManufacturingEducation

Differences between music teacher and first grade teacher education

There are a few differences between a music teacher and a first grade teacher in terms of educational background:

Music TeacherFirst Grade Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common majorMusicElementary Education
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Music teacher vs first grade teacher demographics

Here are the differences between music teachers' and first grade teachers' demographics:

Music TeacherFirst Grade Teacher
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 43.0% Female, 57.0%Male, 7.5% Female, 92.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 3.7% White, 69.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 3.7% White, 69.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between music teacher and first grade teacher duties and responsibilities

Music teacher example responsibilities.

  • Direct, choreograph and manage school musical production of Willy Wonka, Jr.
  • Accomplish building curriculum that do not exist in previous years focuse on Pre-K through 6th grade.
  • Implement and develop program for general music for k-5, choral music and music appreciation for middle school-age students.
  • Teach kids, teenagers and young adults art of drama and acting.
  • Develop introductory music instruction for multiple instruments and group classes in beginning guitar and keyboard.
  • Grade levels k-8 teaching general music classes.
  • Show more

First grade teacher example responsibilities.

  • Used technology such as scanning documents, creating hyperlinks and PowerPoint to document student progress for student lead conferences.
  • Prepare and plan literacy and math centers daily to encourage student achievement and socialization skills.
  • Develop standards-based curricula including a balance literacy program, math and writers' workshops and after school intervention program.
  • Implement the PBIS social emotional development program.
  • Employ PBIS to reenforce positive behavior among students.
  • Focuse on ESL students using methodical scaffolding, with an emphasis on citizenship and literacy.
  • Show more

Music teacher vs first grade teacher skills

Common music teacher skills
  • Classroom Management, 23%
  • Professional Development, 8%
  • Music Education, 7%
  • Kindergarten, 5%
  • Music Program, 5%
  • Student Learning, 5%
Common first grade teacher skills
  • Classroom Management, 29%
  • Math, 13%
  • Social Studies, 5%
  • Professional Development, 4%
  • Classroom Environment, 4%
  • Language Arts, 3%

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