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The differences between school aides and pre-k 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 $29,896 average annual salary of a school aide.
The top three skills for a school aide include CPR, role model and direct supervision. The most important skills for a pre-k teacher are kids, math, and language arts.
| School Aide | Pre-K Teacher | |
| Yearly salary | $29,896 | $40,301 |
| Hourly rate | $14.37 | $19.38 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 69,231 | 60,464 |
| Job satisfaction | 1 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 41% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
School aides assist teachers in supervising students throughout the school year. The aides help teachers in their record-keeping tasks like grading assignments and taking attendance in class. Some of them help teachers keep the class running smoothly, while others work with students with special needs. They attend staff meetings, in-service training, and school programs. It is part of their job to establish spreadsheets and databases to improve the inventory management of tuition payments and uniforms. They also apply planning, prioritization, and project management skills toward achieving deadlines while they maintain high-quality standards.
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.
School aides and pre-k teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| School Aide | Pre-K Teacher | |
| Average salary | $29,896 | $40,301 |
| Salary range | Between $22,000 And $39,000 | Between $28,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | Brentwood, NY | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | New York |
| Best paying company | St. Clare Catholic School | Faulkner University |
| Best paying industry | Education | - |
There are a few differences between a school aide and a pre-k teacher in terms of educational background:
| School Aide | Pre-K Teacher | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 41% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Business | Early Childhood Education |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between school aides' and pre-k teachers' demographics:
| School Aide | Pre-K Teacher | |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 27.4% Female, 72.6% | Male, 8.5% Female, 91.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 22.5% Asian, 7.4% White, 54.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 9% |