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The differences between pre-k teachers and middle school teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a middle school teacher has an average salary of $53,363, which is higher than the $40,301 average annual salary of a pre-k teacher.
The top three skills for a pre-k teacher include kids, math and language arts. The most important skills for a middle school teacher are classroom management, professional development, and math.
| Pre-K Teacher | Middle School Teacher | |
| Yearly salary | $40,301 | $53,363 |
| Hourly rate | $19.38 | $25.66 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 60,464 | 82,230 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| 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.
A middle school teacher is responsible for teaching students in grades six to eight, following a curriculum that fits on their grade levels to prepare them for the next advancement. Middle school teachers strategize effective lesson plans, engaging activities, and assessments to test the students' knowledge and understanding of the learning materials. They also observe the personal and developmental behaviors of the students by conducting group activities and performance. A middle school teacher identifies the students' strengths and weaknesses, adjusting the learning approach as needed to cater to each student's needs and difficulties.
Pre-k teachers and middle school teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Pre-K Teacher | Middle School Teacher | |
| Average salary | $40,301 | $53,363 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $57,000 | Between $39,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Washington |
| Best paying company | Faulkner University | Baltimore City Public Schools |
| Best paying industry | - | Education |
There are a few differences between a pre-k teacher and a middle school teacher in terms of educational background:
| Pre-K Teacher | Middle School Teacher | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Early Childhood Education | Elementary Education |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between pre-k teachers' and middle school teachers' demographics:
| Pre-K Teacher | Middle School Teacher | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 8.5% Female, 91.5% | Male, 35.4% Female, 64.6% |
| 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, 9.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 3.7% White, 69.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |