Life As an Elementary School Teacher
Job Description: Teach students basic academic, social, and other formative skills in public or private schools at the elementary level.
Elementary School Teacher Responsibilities
- Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children’s progress and to determine priorities for their children and their resource needs.
- Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
- Enforce administration policies and rules governing students.
- Assign and grade class work and homework.
- Prepare for assigned classes and show written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisors.
- Perform administrative duties, such as assisting in school libraries, hall and cafeteria monitoring, and bus loading and unloading.
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Elementary School Teacher Required Skills
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 Jobs
- Music Instructor
- Classroom Teacher
- Resource Teacher
- Fourth Grade Mathematics Teacher
- Choir Teacher
Is There Going to be Demand for Elementary School Teachers?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 1,410,900 jobs in the United States for Elementary School Teacher. 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. The BLS estimates 112,800 yearly job openings in this field.

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.
Average Elementary School Teachers Salary
The typical yearly salary for Elementary School Teachers is somewhere between $37,780 and $95,270.

Elementary School Teachers who work in California, New York, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.
How much do Elementary School Teachers make in different U.S. states?
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 do Elementary School Teachers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Elementary School Teachers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Email software
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Graphics software
- Blackboard
- Children’s educational software
Becoming an Elementary School Teacher
Learn what Elementary School Teacher education requirements there are.

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where Elementary School Teachers Are Employed

The table below shows the approximate number of Elementary School Teachers employed by various industries.

You May Also Be Interested In…
Those thinking about becoming an Elementary School Teacher might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
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More about our data sources and methodologies.
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