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The differences between science teachers and social studies teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a science teacher and a social studies teacher. Additionally, a science teacher has an average salary of $59,788, which is higher than the $49,725 average annual salary of a social studies teacher.
The top three skills for a science teacher include classroom management, professional development and student learning. The most important skills for a social studies teacher are classroom management, world history, and curriculum development.
| Science Teacher | Social Studies Teacher | |
| Yearly salary | $59,788 | $49,725 |
| Hourly rate | $28.74 | $23.91 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 71,133 | 94,087 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A science teacher is responsible for teaching scientific concepts and disciplines, helping learners to understand systems, procedures, and generate ideas using scientific evidence and approaches. Science teachers create engaging lesson plans and activities for the learners, including laboratory works, group research, and field experiments. They also demonstrate methods and present scientific research to support their observations. A science teacher evaluates the students' learning by giving them written or practical exams, including problem-solving and scientific methods.
Teachers that specialize in human society are called social studies teachers. Usually, they are found at a high school and secondary school level. They teach concepts of history, geography, government, economics, and civic ideals. Their duties include assigning and grading homework, writing, and grading tests and essays as well as engaging students with lectures and relevant activities. Skills needed for the job include an analytical mind, service-oriented, and organized. They must also be highly knowledgeable about social sciences and has a field related degree to social study.
Science teachers and social studies teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Science Teacher | Social Studies Teacher | |
| Average salary | $59,788 | $49,725 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $87,000 | Between $36,000 And $67,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Washington |
| Best paying company | Pace University | Boston Public Schools |
| Best paying industry | Education | Professional |
There are a few differences between a science teacher and a social studies teacher in terms of educational background:
| Science Teacher | Social Studies Teacher | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Biology | History |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between science teachers' and social studies teachers' demographics:
| Science Teacher | Social Studies Teacher | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 42.1% Female, 57.9% | Male, 51.6% Female, 48.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 3.6% White, 71.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.5% Asian, 3.6% White, 72.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |