Most teaching roles require a bachelor’s degree and—if teaching at a public school—passing a state exam. However, not all teachers make the same as their colleagues, even if they have the same level of education.
As far back as 2020, an Education Week article detailed the trials and tribulations of teacher shortages, along with a simple strategy for recruitment: Pay teachers a decent wage.
These teachers may need an associate or bachelor’s degree to get hired. The nation’s 71,730 preschool teachers earn less than any other category of teachers, with an average annual income of $52,420, according to the BLS.
Some soft skills that can help teachers excel in this role include patience, empathy, creativity, and good communication techniques. At $65,050, kindergarten teachers’ salaries are the third-lowest on this list.
Elementary school teachers need a bachelor’s degree, and often a master’s degree in teaching, along with two years of teaching experience, according to Glassdoor.