Education & Library
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Also called: Art Teacher, Classroom Teacher, Elementary Classroom Teacher, Elementary School Teacher
US median pay
$63,970
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-0.4%
declining
Openings a year (US)
87,500
1,419,300 employed
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
Teach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level.
What they do day to day
- Instruct students individually and in groups, using teaching methods such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among the students.
- Guide and counsel students with adjustment or academic problems or with special academic interests.
- Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
- Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
- Read books to entire classes or small groups.
- Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- Confer with parents or guardians, teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.
- Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and to determine priorities for their children and their resource needs.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Instructing4.2/5
- Social Perceptiveness4.0/5
- Service Orientation3.9/5
- Coordination3.9/5
- Time Management3.8/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.8/5
- Persuasion3.1/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.1/5
Knowledge
- English Language4.9/5
- Education and Training4.8/5
- Mathematics3.9/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.9/5
- Psychology3.7/5
- Therapy and Counseling3.3/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Bachelor's degree.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree78%
- Master's degree22%
Who this job suits
Mostly Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Artistic
Creating, designing and self-expression
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.