Elementary School Teacher Salary, Outlook & Career Guide

What Does an Elementary School Teacher Do?

Elementary School Teachers educate students in kindergarten through fifth or sixth grade (ages 5-11), teaching fundamental subjects including reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies. They create lesson plans aligned with state standards, assess student progress, manage classroom behavior, and communicate with parents about student development.

A typical day involves teaching multiple subjects to the same group of students, differentiating instruction for diverse learning needs, grading assignments, supervising lunch and recess, attending staff meetings, and often arriving early or staying late for lesson planning. Teachers create a nurturing learning environment, identify students who may need special education services or enrichment, and collaborate with colleagues and administrators. Work is primarily in classroom settings, with summers typically off (though many teachers pursue professional development or summer work).

Education & Requirements

Typical Education: Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education or a related field with teacher preparation program. Must complete student teaching practicum (typically one semester full-time).
Certifications: State teaching license/certification required in all public schools and most private schools. Requirements vary by state but typically include passing Praxis exams (Core Academic Skills and Subject Assessments) and background check. Some states require master's degree within specified years.
Key Skills: Classroom management, communication, patience, creativity, organization, cultural sensitivity, adaptability, collaboration, knowledge of child development, technology integration
Experience: Student teaching completed during bachelor's program. Some states allow alternative certification routes for career changers with bachelor's degrees in other fields.

Salary Information

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024 data):

Median Annual Salary: $62,310
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $46,440
Experienced (90th percentile): $102,010
Top-Paying States: New York, Massachusetts, California, Connecticut, Maryland
Top-Paying Metro Areas: San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara CA, New York-Newark-Jersey City NY-NJ-PA, San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward CA, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim CA

Note: Salaries vary significantly by state, district, and years of experience. Most districts use salary schedules that increase pay based on experience and education level (bachelor's, master's, doctorate). Teachers typically work 9-10 months per year with summer break.

Job Outlook & Growth

Employment of Elementary School Teachers is projected to decline 2% from 2024 to 2034, primarily due to declining student enrollment in many regions. However, this small decline represents a relatively stable field, and replacement needs will create ongoing job opportunities as current teachers retire.

Factors affecting employment include declining birth rates in some areas, shifting demographics, and state budget constraints. However, job prospects remain favorable in high-growth states like Texas, Florida, and Arizona, urban districts, and schools serving high-need populations. Teachers with certifications in special education, ESL/bilingual education, or STEM subjects have the strongest job prospects. Retirements of baby boomer teachers will continue creating openings nationwide.

How to Break Into This Field

Education: Earn a bachelor's degree in elementary education from an accredited program. Alternatively, earn a bachelor's in another subject and complete a post-baccalaureate teacher certification program. Participate actively in student teaching placement. Consider specializations like special education, ESL, or reading specialist to increase employability.
Entry-Level Roles: First-year teacher positions, substitute teaching (to gain experience and make connections), teaching assistant or paraprofessional roles, or positions at private schools that may have less stringent requirements while pursuing certification.
Build Skills: Pass required state certification exams (Praxis or state-specific tests). Volunteer in classrooms, tutor students, or work at summer camps to gain experience. Learn classroom management strategies and modern educational technology. Consider pursuing National Board Certification after gaining experience.
Network: Join student chapters of professional organizations (NEA, state education associations), attend education conferences and workshops, connect with cooperating teachers and university supervisors, participate in education job fairs hosted by school districts.
Apply Strategically: Research district hiring timelines (often February-May for fall positions). Target high-need districts with signing bonuses or loan forgiveness programs. Consider urban, rural, or high-poverty schools which often have more openings. Use district websites, state job boards, and education-specific sites like K12JobSpot, Teachers-Teachers.com, or Indeed Education.

Career Path & Advancement

Elementary School Teachers typically progress from First-Year Teacher → Experienced Teacher (building expertise over 5-10 years) → Master Teacher or Teacher Leader. Advancement often comes through increased salary on district pay scales rather than new titles, with pay increasing based on years of experience and additional education.

Career advancement options include becoming a grade-level team leader, instructional coach, literacy or math specialist, special education coordinator, department chair, or moving into administration (assistant principal, principal, curriculum director, superintendent). Many teachers pursue National Board Certification for salary increases and professional recognition. Some transition into educational consulting, curriculum development, education policy, or educational technology companies. Advanced degrees (master's or doctorate) open opportunities in higher education, educational research, or district-level positions.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Meaningful work making a direct impact on children's lives
Summer breaks and holiday schedule aligned with school calendar
Job security with tenure after 3-5 years in most districts
Strong benefits including health insurance and pension plans
Collaborative environment with supportive colleagues
Continuous professional development and learning opportunities

Cons

Modest salary relative to education requirements, especially in early years
Extensive unpaid work outside classroom hours (lesson planning, grading)
Emotional and mental stress from diverse student needs and behaviors
Increasing administrative demands and standardized testing pressure
Limited career advancement opportunities without leaving classroom
Budget constraints leading to out-of-pocket spending on classroom supplies
Slight projected decline in jobs nationally, though regional variation exists

Related Careers

If you're interested in Elementary School Teacher, you might also consider:

Special Education Teacher - Work with students with disabilities (higher demand)
High School Teacher - Teach specialized subjects to adolescents
School Counselor - Support student academic and social-emotional development
Instructional Coordinator - Develop curriculum and train teachers
Education Administrator - Lead schools or programs (principal, assistant principal)

Data Source

All salary and employment data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data reflects May 2024 estimates and 2024-2034 projections.

Elementary School Teacher Career Guide