Although pay structures vary, most schools pay teachers an annual salary, rather than an hourly wage. First grade teachers make on par with other elementary school teachers, and they typically have the option of getting paid only during the months they work or receiving regular disbursements throughout the teachegs. They may specialize in a particular content area, such as reading, and take courses in education and child psychology in addition to field training. After completing your degree, you become state licensed and certified to teach elementary education. All states offer alternative certification for teacher’s who have subject-area knowledge without an education background, according to the U. Bureau tachers Labor Statistics. Salary also varies by geographic location. Generally the more teachera the population, this higher the wage.