Overview
SourcedTeach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level.
O*NET definition of Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education (SOC 25-2021) · Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed.
Titles employers use
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership; U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database; GovJobs Wiki (editorial). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Requirements
Sourced- Education needed to enter
- Bachelor's degree
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
Education workers say the job requires
Share of surveyed workers in Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education (SOC 25-2021) naming each level as required to be hired, 21 respondents, O*NET survey August 2024. Each employer sets its own minimum.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4); U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
How to get hired
SourcedKindergarten and elementary school teachers usually must have at least a bachelor's degree. In addition, public school teachers must have a state-issued certification or license.
From the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile “Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers”, published August 27, 2026 · Read the full profile. National guidance; each employer runs its own hiring process.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–35 edition (XML compilation). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Academy and training
Sourced- SOC 25-2021
- None
- Job zone
- Considerable Preparation Needed
Academy length, curriculum and paid-training policies are set by each employer and state; they are part of the employer collection stage.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Promotion ladder
EditorialSteps and lanes: certificated salary schedule: years (steps) × education (lanes). Typical structure for a public school certificated staff; titles, steps and timing differ by employer.
- Teacher, Step 1 (by lane: BA / BA+15 / MA / MA+30 / PhD)
- Teacher, Steps 2…N (annual)
- Longevity steps
- Mentor / Lead Teacher / Department Chair (stipend)
- Instructional Coach
- Assistant Principal
- Principal
- Central-office Director
- Superintendent
Source: GovJobs Wiki (editorial).
Pay
SourcedMedian annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.
| Employer type | Workers | 10th pct. | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | 9,500 | $58,930 | $60,050 | $74,680 | $95,060 | $128,370 |
| Local | 1,213,680 | $48,600 | $59,350 | $65,250 | $84,030 | $105,250 |
| All government | 1,223,170 | $48,610 | $59,390 | $65,310 | $84,120 | $105,250 |
| Private sector | 165,210 | $37,950 | $47,320 | $58,110 | $65,120 | $80,230 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Schedule
SourcedShare of surveyed workers in the occupation (O*NET work context, August 2024). Shift patterns and differentials depend on the employer.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Day-to-day work
Sourced- Instruct students individually and in groups, using teaching methods such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.5.0
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among the students.4.8
- Guide and counsel students with adjustment or academic problems or with special academic interests.4.8
- Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.4.7
- Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.4.6
- Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.4.6
- Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.4.5
- Read books to entire classes or small groups.4.5
- Confer with parents or guardians, teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.4.5
- Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and to determine priorities for their children and their resource needs.4.5
The 10 most important of 36 core tasks for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of August 2024.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Related jobs
DerivedExams and free practice tests
SourcedFree practice tests
Foundations of Reading Test (FoRT)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep- Praxis Elementary Education CKT — Mathematics (7813)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Praxis Elementary Education CKT — Reading & Language Arts (7812)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Praxis Elementary Education CKT — Science (7814)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Praxis Elementary Education CKT — Social Studies (7815)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects — Mathematics Subtest (5003)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects — Reading and Language Arts Subtest (5002)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects — Science Subtest (5005)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects — Social Studies Subtest (5004)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K-6 (5622)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Praxis Teaching Reading: Elementary (5205)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
State versions: 14 states. Pick yours:
Source: Open Exam Prep, Open Exam Prep free practice tests. Data captured October 1, 2026. Each link was opened and its exam title checked on the date shown.
Employer directory
Sourced13,321 school districts in the registry. Regular public school districts in the NCES Common Core of Data (charter-only districts are not included). The 10 largest by teachers (fte):
| Employer | Location | Teachers (FTE) | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | Chicago, IL | 23,532 | Official site |
| Los Angeles Unified | Los Angeles, CA | 21,246 | Official site |
| MIAMI-DADE | Miami, FL | 17,139 | Official site |
| Clark County | Las Vegas, NV | 16,446 | Official site |
| Fairfax County Public Schools | Falls Church, VA | 13,501 | Official site |
| Gwinnett County | Lawrenceville, GA | 12,796 | — |
| Hawaii Department of Education | Honolulu, HI | 12,215 | Official site |
| Montgomery County Public Schools | Rockville, MD | 11,574 | Official site |
| PALM BEACH | West Palm Beach, FL | 11,548 | Official site |
| ORANGE | Orlando, FL | 11,416 | Official site |
Full lists by state:
As reported by each employer to its federal registry.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data, 2024–25 local education agency universe (directory and staff). Data captured September 30, 2026.
By state
SourcedMedian annual wage for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education (SOC 25-2021) in each state, all employers (BLS state estimates do not separate government from private). Highest first.
| State | Workers | 10th pct. | Median | 90th pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 28,980 | $64,610 | $102,350 | $127,570 |
| California | 155,160 | $61,940 | $99,650 | $127,070 |
| District of Columbia | 3,750 | $63,950 | $96,580 | $128,370 |
| Massachusetts | 29,930 | $60,620 | $94,000 | $118,190 |
| Rhode Island | 3,830 | $45,070 | $90,930 | $99,610 |
| New York | 101,410 | $56,760 | $85,760 | $136,260 |
| Connecticut | 16,330 | $58,870 | $80,600 | $105,890 |
| Alaska | 3,500 | $62,140 | $79,260 | $98,610 |
| New Jersey | 40,300 | $61,840 | $78,200 | $105,480 |
| Maryland | 29,610 | $56,290 | $77,680 | $107,040 |
| Ohio | 47,870 | $47,680 | $77,370 | $99,210 |
| Oregon | 12,600 | $48,500 | $77,130 | $103,540 |
| Pennsylvania | 48,370 | $51,990 | $77,060 | $99,630 |
| Minnesota | 26,640 | $48,870 | $76,350 | $100,880 |
| Delaware | 2,900 | $50,330 | $75,920 | $94,100 |
| Illinois | 61,520 | $47,040 | $75,320 | $105,250 |
| Utah | 14,820 | $49,610 | $74,810 | $100,340 |
| New Mexico | 6,210 | $58,120 | $74,550 | $86,560 |
| New Hampshire | 5,190 | $48,110 | $72,410 | $92,920 |
| Georgia | 43,820 | $49,260 | $72,290 | $98,030 |
| Hawaii | 6,040 | $55,210 | $71,410 | $95,120 |
| Virginia | 37,880 | $49,770 | $65,550 | $100,290 |
| Michigan | 40,910 | $47,670 | $65,110 | $94,680 |
| Nevada | 9,550 | $49,560 | $65,040 | $82,670 |
| Colorado | 24,860 | $48,410 | $63,410 | $98,950 |
| Vermont | 3,610 | $48,700 | $63,070 | $97,230 |
| Texas | 116,260 | $48,500 | $62,760 | $73,570 |
| Maine | 7,490 | $46,570 | $62,390 | $92,100 |
| Nebraska | 8,710 | $46,700 | $62,380 | $78,130 |
| Idaho | 6,850 | $45,940 | $61,600 | $80,710 |
| Alabama | 22,030 | $47,750 | $61,380 | $73,950 |
| Wisconsin | 24,920 | $48,610 | $61,210 | $84,470 |
| Wyoming | 2,600 | $51,630 | $61,150 | $76,860 |
| South Carolina | 25,030 | $48,410 | $60,820 | $77,570 |
| Kentucky | 19,080 | $45,600 | $60,610 | $79,740 |
| Iowa | 17,300 | $47,260 | $60,580 | $77,400 |
| North Dakota | 4,430 | $46,530 | $60,030 | $75,990 |
| Tennessee | 28,240 | $48,100 | $59,980 | $76,840 |
| Indiana | 27,720 | $47,330 | $59,700 | $77,730 |
| Florida | 79,090 | $48,680 | $58,930 | $75,780 |
| Louisiana | 22,060 | $46,680 | $58,770 | $76,380 |
| Montana | 4,960 | $38,160 | $57,530 | $78,450 |
| Arizona | 24,240 | $43,370 | $56,590 | $79,470 |
| Kansas | 14,350 | $47,700 | $56,450 | $71,730 |
| West Virginia | 5,420 | $48,080 | $55,630 | $60,790 |
| North Carolina | 42,410 | $45,570 | $54,930 | $62,590 |
| Arkansas | 12,590 | $49,380 | $52,700 | $63,120 |
| Missouri | 33,180 | $39,980 | $50,910 | $78,820 |
| South Dakota | 4,290 | $47,120 | $50,130 | $60,180 |
| Mississippi | 11,060 | $46,020 | $49,790 | $62,990 |
| Oklahoma | 18,500 | $41,400 | $48,200 | $61,930 |
51 states with published estimates.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Not yet collected
These dimensions are part of every job page. We publish them only once they are sourced from official documents such as job postings, pay plans, union contracts and state standards.
- 05 ProbationNot yet collectedProbation length and what ends it
- 09 Benefits and pensionNot yet collectedPension plan and formula, retirement age and years, DROP, retiree health, Social Security coverage, 457(b) and PSLF eligibility
- 10 Union contractsNot yet collectedBargaining unit, union and the current contract, with its source and effective dates
- 11 Transfers and lateral entryNot yet collectedLateral entry policy, certification reciprocity, lateral bonuses and moves between agencies