How to become elementary school teachers, except special educationeducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Education Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$63,970

25th–75th pct. $57,710–$81,450

Top pay (est.)

$135,600

Top 10% $104,340

Pay in 5 years

$74,000est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$85,500est.

$73,500–$99,300

Outlook score

46/100

★★☆☆☆ Average

AI replacement risk

28%

Low

Job growth (10 yr)

−0.4%

88K openings / yr

How to become elementary school teachers, except special education

Typical education

Bachelor's degree

BLS

Related experience

None

On-the-job training

None

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

Key skills

Learning Strategies

4.5

Speaking

4.0

Active Listening

4.0

Instructing

4.0

Social Perceptiveness

4.0

Monitoring

4.0

Critical Thinking

3.9

Reading Comprehension

3.9

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Education and Training

5.5

English Language

4.7

Customer and Personal Service

4.2

Therapy and Counseling

4.0

Administrative

3.9

Mathematics

3.7

Psychology

3.6

History and Archeology

3.5

What the work involves

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsCoaching and Developing OthersOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkAssisting and Caring for OthersTraining and Teaching OthersThinking CreativelyScheduling Work and ActivitiesCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Important abilities

Speech ClarityOral ExpressionOral ComprehensionWritten ExpressionProblem SensitivityWritten Comprehension

Education of workers

Bachelor's degree

78%

Master's degree

22%

Training before entry

None / short demo

23%

Up to 1 month

23%

1–2 years

16%

2–4 years

15%

6–12 months

10%

3–6 months

1–3 months

Related work experience

None

33%

6–12 months

20%

2–4 years

19%

1–2 years

18%

3–6 months

10%

Job Zone 4 — considerable preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★★☆☆ Moderate (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as elementary school teachers, except special education

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Related occupations

	Occupation	Pay	Outlook	AI risk
1	Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.	$72,040	45/100	36%
2	Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education Teach one or more subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level.	$64,370	40/100	45%
3	Substitute Teachers, Short-Term Teach students on a short-term basis as a temporary replacement for a regular classroom teacher, typically using the regular teacher's lesson plan.	$41,670	49/100	39%
4	Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education Instruct preschool-aged students, following curricula or lesson plans, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth.	$38,140	62/100	16%
5	Self-Enrichment Teachers Teach or instruct individuals or groups for the primary purpose of self-enrichment or recreation, rather than for an occupational objective, educational attainment, competition, or fitness.	$46,800	61/100	22%
6	Instructional Coordinators Develop instructional material, coordinate educational content, and incorporate current technology into instruction in order to provide guidelines to educators and instructors for developing curricula and conducting courses.	$77,440	57/100	50%

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data

Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.