What Does it Take to Be an Elementary School Teacher?
Career Description Teach students basic academic, social, and other formative skills in public or private schools at the elementary level.
Daily Life Of an Elementary School Teacher
- Prepare objectives and outlines for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines or requirements of states and schools.
- Confer with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning, following approved curricula.
- Involve parent volunteers and older students in children’s activities to facilitate involvement in focused, complex play.
- Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.
- Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students.
- Read books to entire classes or small groups.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as an Elementary School Teacher?
These are the skills Elementary School Teachers say are the most useful in their careers:
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.
Learning Strategies: Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Types of Elementary School Teacher
- Language Instructor
- Physical Fitness Teacher
- General Education Teacher
- Elementary School Band Director
- Art Instructor
Job Opportunities for Elementary School Teachers
In the United States, there were 1,410,900 jobs for Elementary School Teacher in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 7.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 104,000 new jobs for Elementary School Teacher by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 112,800 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Elementary School Teacher are Utah, Nevada, and Texas. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Connecticut, or Maine. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of an Elementary School Teacher
The salary for Elementary School Teachers ranges between about $37,780 and $95,270 a year.

Elementary School Teachers who work in California, New York, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.
How much do Elementary School Teachers make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $49,850 |
Alaska | $74,070 |
Arizona | $44,430 |
Arkansas | $48,560 |
California | $80,100 |
Colorado | $53,400 |
Connecticut | $75,480 |
Delaware | $63,040 |
District of Columbia | $79,480 |
Florida | $50,070 |
Georgia | $56,360 |
Hawaii | $61,240 |
Idaho | $48,990 |
Illinois | $62,140 |
Indiana | $52,360 |
Iowa | $54,500 |
Kansas | $51,020 |
Kentucky | $53,830 |
Louisiana | $48,740 |
Maine | $53,570 |
Maryland | $71,060 |
Massachusetts | $82,600 |
Michigan | $66,180 |
Minnesota | $64,950 |
Mississippi | $43,860 |
Missouri | $49,860 |
Montana | $52,360 |
Nebraska | $57,490 |
Nevada | $56,970 |
New Hampshire | $58,230 |
New Jersey | $70,660 |
New Mexico | $55,390 |
New York | $83,010 |
North Carolina | $46,500 |
North Dakota | $55,860 |
Ohio | $62,430 |
Oklahoma | $40,450 |
Oregon | $67,910 |
Pennsylvania | $66,860 |
Rhode Island | $71,990 |
South Carolina | $51,240 |
South Dakota | $43,140 |
Tennessee | $52,610 |
Texas | $56,520 |
Utah | $59,880 |
Vermont | $62,430 |
Virginia | $67,610 |
Washington | $65,180 |
West Virginia | $44,890 |
Wisconsin | $56,770 |
Wyoming | $58,940 |
What Tools & Technology do Elementary School Teachers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Elementary School Teachers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Email software
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Graphics software
- Blackboard
- Children’s educational software
How to Become an Elementary School Teacher
What education or degrees do I need to become an Elementary School Teacher?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Who Employs Elementary School Teachers?

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

Similar Careers
Those interested in being an Elementary School Teacher may also be interested in:
References:
Image Credit: Vgrigas via Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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