We surveyed 5,411 elementary school teachers to better understand the work environment and required skills of a typical elementary school teacher. Here are the results.

How much intelligence is required as an elementary school teacher?

Low

High

Working as an elementary school teacher typically doesn’t require the use of high levels of intelligence in daily tasks.

Can I learn to become an elementary school teacher?

Intrinsic Talent

Acquired Talent

A career as an elementary school teacher typically depends predominantly on qualities you can gain through experience, with a small aspect of skills you are born with.

Is it easy to get a job as an elementary school teacher?

Easy

Hard

It’s typically difficult to find a job as an elementary school teacher. If you’re curious about the numbers, check out the job market for elementary school teachers.

Info

Do elementary school teachers work full-time or part-time?

89% of elementary school teachers work in full-time roles while 11% work part-time.

Is being an elementary school teacher stressful?

Low

High

Stress is very commonplace for elementary school teachers, contributing negatively towards career satisfaction.

Is being organized important as an elementary school teacher?

Low

High

Organization is considered a very important trait for elementary school teachers, and is critical to success in the field.

How competitive is the workplace for elementary school teachers?

Low

High

Competition at work is not common for elementary school teachers.

Does being an elementary school teacher require frequent time pressure to complete tasks?

Low

High

Elementary school teachers will have to sometimes face time pressure on the job.

Are elementary school teachers allowed to express themselves creatively?

Low

High

Creativity is intrinsic to being an elementary school teacher, and a highly valuable part of the career.

Do elementary school teachers have control over the direction of their work?

Low

High

Elementary school teachers tend to have a set and inflexible work schedule that they are unable to deviate from too much.

Is being an elementary school teacher physically demanding?

Low

High

Being an elementary school teacher may occasionally require demanding physical activity, which may make it not a suitable career choice for everyone.

Are elementary school teachers exposed to a wide variety of work?

Low

High

The workload of an elementary school teacher changes frequently, with their day-to-day rarely being the same.

Does being an elementary school teacher require attention to detail?

Low

High

Attention to detail isn't necessarily required to be successful as an elementary school teacher.

Does being a good elementary school teacher require compassion and empathy?

Low

High

Strong compassion and empathy are critical to success as an elementary school teacher.