Kindergarten Teacher
Teach children their first year of school: reading, math and how to learn.
- $62,680
- 4 years plus licensing
Education & Childcare career
Elementary School Teacher
Also called: Grade School Teacher · Primary School Teacher · Classroom Teacher · 3rd Grade Teacher
What elementary school teachers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does an elementary school teacher do?
Elementary school teachers teach students in early grades subjects such as reading, writing, math, science and social studies, and help them develop social skills. The median pay is $63,970 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 4 years plus licensing, and employment is projected to grow -0.4% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$63,970Annual salary · May 2025
- Job growth-0.4%2025–35, little or no change
- Openings per year87,500Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationBachelor's degreeBLS classification
- Time to train4 years plus licensingTypical program length
- U.S. jobs1,419,300Employment, 2025
What elementary school teachers do
Elementary teachers build the foundation for lifelong learning. They teach reading, writing, math, science and social studies, plan lessons, assess progress, manage classrooms, support students with different needs and communicate with families. They often teach all subjects to one class for the year.
Public school teachers need a bachelor’s degree, a teacher preparation program and a state license. Shortages in many areas have led to alternative certification paths for career changers.
Typical duties
- Plan and teach lessons in core subjects
- Assess and grade student work
- Manage classroom behavior
- Differentiate instruction
- Communicate with families
- Collaborate with grade-level teams and specialists
- Prepare students for state assessments
Work environment and schedule
Teachers work in elementary school classrooms, with time in meetings and duties around the school.
Schedule: Teachers work school-year schedules, often grading and planning in evenings, with summers usually off.
A day in the life
- Prepare materials and review the day’s lessons.
- Lead a reading block with small groups.
- Teach a math lesson on fractions.
- Lunch and recess duty.
See a full day in the life of an elementary school teacher →
Elementary School Teacher salary
Half of elementary school teachers earned more than $63,970 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $47,960 for the lowest 10% to $104,340 for the top 10%.
Full elementary school teacher pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become an elementary school teacher
- Earn a bachelor’s degree
- Complete student teaching
- Pass licensing exams
- Get licensed
- Advance
Public school teachers need a bachelor’s degree, a teacher preparation program with student teaching, and a state license. Some states require a master’s degree within several years.
Step-by-step guide to becoming an elementary school teacher →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Lesson planning
- Reading and math instruction
- Classroom management
- Assessment
- Differentiation
People skills
- Patience
- Communication
- Organization
- Creativity
All elementary school teacher skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Meaningful impact
- Variety of subjects
- Summers off
- Public pensions and benefits
Cons
- Heavy workload outside school hours
- Behavior challenges
- Testing pressure
- Pay varies by district
Certifications and licenses
- State teaching license: Required for public school teaching.
- Praxis or state exams: Licensing tests.
- ESL or bilingual endorsement: Certification for teaching English learners.
- National Board Certification: Advanced teaching credential.
Career path
- Student Teacher: Learn to teach.
- Elementary Teacher: Lead a classroom.
- Lead Teacher or Specialist: Mentor or specialize.
- Instructional Coach or Principal: Lead instruction or schools.
Learn the job before day one
Our Elementary School Teacher training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as plan a lesson and lead a guided reading group, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Middle School Teacher
Teach students in grades 6 through 8 through big changes in learning and life.
- $64,370
- 4 years plus licensing
Special Education Teacher
Teach and support students with disabilities so they can learn and thrive.
- $65,120
- 4 years plus licensing
Substitute Teacher
Step in for absent teachers and keep classrooms learning.
- $41,670
- Days to weeks for a substitute permit
Compare: Elementary Teacher vs. Kindergarten Teacher · Elementary Teacher vs. Middle School Teacher · Elementary Teacher vs. Special Ed Teacher · Elementary Teacher vs. Substitute Teacher
Elementary School Teacher FAQ
Do elementary teachers need a license?
Yes, for public schools.
Is there a teacher shortage?
Many areas have shortages, especially in certain subjects.
Can career changers become teachers?
Yes, through alternative certification programs.
How much does an elementary school teacher make?
The median annual wage for elementary school teachers was $63,970 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $47,960 and the highest 10% earned more than $104,340.
How long does it take to become an elementary school teacher?
Most people need about 4 years plus licensing of training. Public school teachers need a bachelor’s degree, a teacher preparation program with student teaching, and a state license. Some states require a master’s degree within several years.
Do you need a degree to be an elementary school teacher?
Yes, for public schools. Elementary teachers need a bachelor’s degree and a state license, though alternative certification routes let degree holders in other fields earn licenses while teaching.
More elementary school teacher questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 25-2021 (Elementary school teachers, except special education).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Elementary school teachers, except special education (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.