Do Elementary Teachers Make More Than High School Teachers?

Elementary teachers play a significant role in society, as they are responsible for teaching the basics to children and setting a foundation for a successful educational experience. With this in mind, you may presume that elementary teachers make more than high school teachers. So, is this the case?

Elementary teachers do not make more than high school teachers. An important factor determining teacher salaries is qualifications, and high school teachers are considered more qualified than their elementary counterparts as they have completed more years of schooling specialized in a particular subject area. Therefore, high school teachers make more than elementary school teachers on average, but the difference is not so vast.

In this article, I’ll discuss the factors that affect how much elementary and high school teachers make. Furthermore, I’ll outline the states that pay these groups of teachers high salaries. Read on to learn more about this topic.

Table of Contents

How Much Do Elementary and High School Teachers Make?

Elementary teachers in the US make around $61,350 annually, while high school teachers make about $61,820. These estimations are listed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics according to data from the year 2021.

In the context of salaries, the median wage means that half of all teachers earned more than this amount while the other half earned less.

According to these statistics, high school teachers earn more than elementary teachers by a mere $470 annually, on average. When converted to hourly wages, high school teachers earn $29.78 per hour, while elementary school teachers make $29.68 per hour on average.

Factors That Affect How Much Elementary and High School Teachers Make

While the salaries of these two groups of teachers may not be too different, certain factors affect how much each group earns. These factors include the following:

Working conditions
Level of qualification

Let’s discuss each of these factors in more detail.

Working Conditions

Working conditions refer to the environment in which a teacher works and the support they receive from their school district. A teacher’s working condition is determined by a few key factors:

Size of the class

Support from administrators
Type of school

Size of the Class

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, high school teachers typically have smaller classes than elementary teachers. In 2007-08, the average class size for high school teachers was 18.6 students per class. Comparatively, elementary school teachers had an average of 20.3.

This discrepancy in class size is due to the fact that high school classes are more specialized and require more one-on-one attention. As a result, high school teachers often have better working conditions than elementary teachers.

Support From Administrators

High school teachers receive more support from administrators compared to elementary teachers. This is because high schools are typically larger than elementary schools and have more resources. Therefore, high school teachers have access to more materials and support staff, such as counselors.

In contrast, elementary schools tend to be smaller and have fewer resources. Thus, elementary teachers often have to do more with less.

Type of School

The type of school a teacher works in also affects their working conditions. Private schools typically have smaller class sizes and offer more resources than public schools. As a result, private school teachers often have better working conditions than public school teachers.

However, private school teachers usually make less than public school teachers. This variation is because private schools are funded by tuition and donations, while public schools are funded by taxes. Thus, the government can afford to pay more to keep teachers in their schools.

The Level of Qualification

High school teachers typically have more years of schooling and experience than elementary teachers. Furthermore, high school teachers must complete a teaching certification program which is voluntary for elementary teachers.

In addition, high school teachers typically specialize in a particular subject area, while elementary teachers generally teach more subjects. As a result, high school teachers are often considered to be more qualified than elementary teachers.

This difference in qualifications is reflected in the salaries of these two groups of teachers. High school teachers typically make more money than elementary teachers because they have more training and experience.

Differences Between Teaching in Elementary and High Schools

If you want to become a teacher, you can choose between teaching in an elementary or high school. Thus, it’s essential to be aware of the differences between teaching in these two categories of schools. These differences include the following:

The curriculum
Student behavior
The independence of students

Teacher specialization

The Curriculum

The curriculum for elementary and high school students is different. Elementary students learn the basics of reading, writing, and math.

In contrast, high school students learn more specialized subjects, such as physics and calculus.

As a result, elementary teachers typically teach a wider range of subjects than their high school counterparts who specialize in a given subject.

Student Behavior

According to the All Play Learn Organization, elementary teachers work with students who are yet to fully know how to manage their emotions. In contrast, high school teachers work with more mature students who can better express themselves.

The types of behavioral issues faced by the two groups of teachers may differ. Elementary teachers find that they often have to deal with petty, tedious behavior, whereas high school teachers may be required to address more serious issues relating to relationships and drugs, for instance.

The Independence of Students

Elementary school students are less independent than those in high school. Students in elementary schools are still learning how to manage their time and emotions. Thus, elementary teachers often have to provide more support and guidance to their students.

In contrast, high school students are more independent and can better manage their time. For this reason, high school teachers can focus more on teaching than managing student behavior.

Teacher Specialization

Elementary teachers typically teach a wide range of subjects, while high school teachers specialize in one or two particular areas. This difference is due to the curriculum for elementary and high school students.

Elementary teachers need to be more well-rounded than high school teachers. They also need to adapt their teaching methods to different subjects.

The video below demonstrates an overview of teaching in a high school vs. an elementary school:

Responsibilities of Teachers in Elementary and High Schools

The primary responsibility of any teacher, whether in an elementary or high school, is to teach. However, these teachers have other responsibilities that vary depending on whether it’s an elementary or high school.

Responsibilities of Elementary School Teachers

Apart from teaching, elementary school teachers have the following responsibilities:

Overseeing and guiding student behavior during recess, lunch breaks, and other activities.
Informing parents about the progress of their children.

preparing students for standardized tests.
Preparing lesson and teaching plans.
Ensuring routines and expectations are followed.

Decorating the classroom and display boards.

Responsibilities of High School Teachers

In addition to teaching, high school teachers have the following responsibilities:

Guiding and supervising students during extracurricular activities, such as sports and clubs.

Preparing students for college by helping them choose courses and write essays for college applications.
Informing parents about the progress of their children.
Preparing lessons and teaching plans.

Requirements To Become an Elementary Teacher

The requirements to become an elementary teacher vary from state to state. However, The Teaching Degree Organization lists the following as the basic requirements:

Bachelor in elementary education degree.
A practicing license from a specific state.

A passing score on a state-mandated exam.

Requirements To Become a High School Teacher

Although the requirements to become a high school teacher vary from state to state, The National University lists the following as the essential requirements:

An undergraduate degree in the subject you want to teach

A teaching credential
State certification

I’ll explain each of these requirements in more detail below.

An Undergraduate Degree in the Subject You Want To Teach

High school teaching requires specialization in a particular subject. Therefore, you must pursue a degree in a subject you’re interested in teaching. For instance, if you want to teach psychology, your credentials must show that you’re a psychology graduate.

A Teaching Credential

To earn a teaching credential, you must complete a teacher preparation program and pass a series of exams. The length of the program and the exams you’ll need to take will vary depending on the state in which you wish to teach.

Each state has different examinations to qualify for a teaching credential. If you’re in California, for instance, you can get the certification by passing one of the following:

California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST).
CSU Early Assessment Program or the CSU Placement Examinations.
CSET Multiple Subject Plus Writing Skills Examination.

State Certification

After completing a teacher preparation program and passing the required exams, you will need to apply for a state teaching certification. The requirements for this vary from state to state, but generally, you will need to provide the following:

Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Legal Residency.
University degree in education. You must also show proof of graduation, which may include official transcripts.

Driver’s license with at least one year of driving experience.
At least two years of teaching experience.

States in Which Elementary Teachers Are Paid High Salaries

The table below shows the U.S. States with the best-paying salaries for elementary school teachers:

State	Annual Salary
California	$85,110
Massachusetts	$84,810
New York	$84,380
Connecticut	$79,610
District of Columbia	$78,840

States in Which High School Teachers Are Paid High Salaries

The table below shows the states that pay high salaries to high school teachers:

State	Annual Salary
New York	$88,890
California	$86,900
Massachusetts	$84,130
New Jersey	$78,900
Connecticut	$78,510

Final Thoughts

High school teachers make more than their elementary counterparts in the United States. Although elementary teachers are considered to do more work setting the foundation for children, their high school counterparts are considered more qualified. High school teachers undergo longer schooling and specialization, which warrants the high pay.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: High School Teachers