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The differences between pre-k teachers and early childhood teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a pre-k teacher has an average salary of $40,301, which is higher than the $33,205 average annual salary of an early childhood teacher.
The top three skills for a pre-k teacher include kids, math and language arts. The most important skills for an early childhood teacher are CPR, child development, and professional development.
| Pre-K Teacher | Early Childhood Teacher | |
| Yearly salary | $40,301 | $33,205 |
| Hourly rate | $19.38 | $15.96 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 15% |
| Number of jobs | 60,464 | 56,821 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Average age | 42 | 40 |
| Years of experience | - | 2 |
Pre-K teachers play an essential role in the lives of young children ages three to five years old by developing and nurturing their interest in subjects appropriate for their age. They promote a creative learning environment and encourage social interactions among students while providing the fundamental educational foundation that will prepare them for a successful start to kindergarten. They are responsible for overseeing children during their mealtimes, reinforcing personal hygiene, and developing children's social skills. Pre-K teachers also plan curriculum and work with other school staff members.
An early childhood teacher specializes in handling and teaching young learners as they prepare for their formal schooling stage. Their responsibilities revolve around addressing and meeting the needs of students, organizing recreational activities for learning processes, and devising strategies to help the learners with their interpersonal and emotional growth. Furthermore, as an early childhood teacher, it is essential to monitor the children's progress and provide updates to their parents, all while maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment for everyone.
Pre-k teachers and early childhood teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Pre-K Teacher | Early Childhood Teacher | |
| Average salary | $40,301 | $33,205 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $57,000 | Between $22,000 And $48,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | New York | New York |
| Best paying company | Faulkner University | Governors State University |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a pre-k teacher and an early childhood teacher in terms of educational background:
| Pre-K Teacher | Early Childhood Teacher | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Most common major | Early Childhood Education | Early Childhood Education |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between pre-k teachers' and early childhood teachers' demographics:
| Pre-K Teacher | Early Childhood Teacher | |
| Average age | 42 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 8.5% Female, 91.5% | Male, 7.6% Female, 92.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 3.7% White, 69.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 8.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 5.4% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 5% |