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The differences between teacher assistants 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 $27,103 average annual salary of a teacher assistant.
The top three skills for a teacher assistant include CPR, child care and mathematics. The most important skills for a pre-k teacher are kids, math, and language arts.
| Teacher Assistant | Pre-K Teacher | |
| Yearly salary | $27,103 | $40,301 |
| Hourly rate | $13.03 | $19.38 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 77,358 | 60,464 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
Teacher assistants are responsible for aiding teachers in their needs inside the classroom. They help teachers prepare for lessons in class, set up equipment, distribute educational materials to students, and monitor the progress of the students. Teacher assistants also help in managing the children in the classroom, as well as providing the necessary assistance a child may need. This may include helping with the lessons by going table to table, assisting in writing exercises, and tutoring kids one-to-one. Teacher assistants are required to have patience, flexibility, and classroom management skills.
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.
Teacher assistants and pre-k teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Teacher Assistant | Pre-K Teacher | |
| Average salary | $27,103 | $40,301 |
| Salary range | Between $21,000 And $34,000 | Between $28,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | Coventry, RI | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | New York |
| Best paying company | University of California, Berkeley | Faulkner University |
| Best paying industry | Finance | - |
There are a few differences between a teacher assistant and a pre-k teacher in terms of educational background:
| Teacher Assistant | Pre-K Teacher | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Early Childhood Education |
| Most common college | Duke University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between teacher assistants' and pre-k teachers' demographics:
| Teacher Assistant | Pre-K Teacher | |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 21.5% Female, 78.5% | Male, 8.5% Female, 91.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 21.1% Asian, 7.8% White, 55.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3% | 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% |