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Primary school teacher

Also called primary school educator, primary education teacher, elementary school teacher

Primary school teachers instruct students on a primary school level. They develop lesson plans in line with curriculum objectives for the variety of subjects they teach, including mathematics, languages, nature studies and music. They monitor the students' learning development and evaluate their knowledge and skills on the subjects taught through tests. They build their course content on the students' knowledge of previous learnings and encourage them to deepen their understanding on the subjects they are interested in. They use class resources and teaching methods to create an inspiring learning environment. Primary school teachers also contribute to school events and communicate with parents and administrative staff.

Will there be jobs?Limited prospects21 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Teaching professionalsWhat does it pay?About averageFrom about €1,700 (Hungary) to €9,900 (Luxembourg) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Teaching professionalsWhat do I need to study?Usually a degree9 in 10 have a degree.Teaching professionalsWill AI change it?Very littleLevel 1 of 6. AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.Primary school teachers · ILO

What you'd do

Primary school teachers · ILO
  • Preparing daily and longer term lesson plans in accordance with curriculum guidelines
  • Instructing children individually and in groups, using various teaching methods and materials (e.g. computers, books, games), adapting to children‚Äôs varying needs
  • Maintaining discipline and good working habits in the classroom
  • Planning and conduct activities with the children such as sporting activities, concerts and excursions
  • Assigning and grading class work and homework
  • Preparing, administering, and grading tests and assignments to evaluate children‚Äôs progress
  • Observing and evaluating children‚Äôs performance and behaviour
  • Supervising children during classes and at other times in the school day, including the playground during breaks
  • Participating in staff meetings and other sessions, and conferring with other teachers concerning educational issues
  • Preparing for and attending parent meetings to discuss children‚Äôs progress and problems
Implement care programmes for childrenUse pedagogic strategies for creativityHandle children's problemsMaintain relations with children's parentsEncourage students to acknowledge their achievements+ 18 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • On your feet most of the day
  • Constant contact with people, including the public
  • Some freedom to decide
  • Often more than 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education"

Will there be jobs?

Limited prospects

Fewer jobs than in most work will need filling by 2035.

People working as teaching professionals in the EU
9.04m10.91m10.66m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
2,551,000 replacing leavers 253,000 jobs disappear
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Teaching professionals21
All jobs29
Right now
8 of 27 countries report a shortage of primary school teachers, 5 a surplus.
Primary school teachers · EURES

What does it pay?

About average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,700 a month (Hungary) to €9,900 (Luxembourg), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among professionals in the EU, women earn 21% less per hour than men. Professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually a degree

A degree in education science is the usual route.

Highest qualification of teaching professionals (EU, 2025)
Degree 88%Vocational 5%General secondary 5%Basic schooling 1%
Field that teaches it
Education science
Vocational route, EU
Fewer than 1 in 10 trainees in this field
Education graduates in a matching job
74% in the EU

823 institutions in the EU offer education bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Very little

AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.26 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 10 tasks
Preparing daily and longer term lesson plans in accordance with curriculum guidelines0.47
Assigning and grading class work and homework0.34
Preparing, administering, and grading tests and assignments to evaluate children’s progress0.28
Planning and conduct activities with the children such as sporting activities, concerts and excursions0.26
Preparing for and attending parent meetings to discuss children’s progress and problems0.26
Participating in staff meetings and other sessions, and conferring with other teachers concerning educational issues0.25
Observing and evaluating children’s performance and behaviour0.20
Instructing children individually and in groups, using various teaching methods and materials (e.g. computers, books, games), adapting to children’s varying needs0.20
Supervising children during classes and at other times in the school day, including the playground during breaks0.19
Maintaining discipline and good working habits in the classroom0.16

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for primary school teachers. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).