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Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary vs. Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education: Who Earns More?

Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondarys out-earn Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educations by $29K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondarys land at $93,250 and Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educations at $63,970. The education gap is real: chemistry teachers, postsecondary programs typically require bachelor's degree, while elementary school teachers, except special education programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondarys is California ($132,960); for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educations it's Washington ($102,350).

Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Median salary
$93,250
$63,970
Hourly rate
$null/hr
$null/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$57,870
$47,960
Senior level (90th %)
$172,110
$104,340
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
19,980
1,388,390
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
1%
Category
Education
Education
Top-paying state
California
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary median pay.

State
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
California
$132,960
$99,650
Massachusetts
$108,270
$94,000
Delaware
$104,610
$75,920
Minnesota
$104,380
$76,350
District of Columbia
$103,370
$96,580
Maryland
$101,530
$77,680
Oregon
$101,350
$77,130
Rhode Island
$100,920
$90,930
New York
$99,880
$85,760
Illinois
$97,860
$75,320
Pennsylvania
$95,070
$77,060
Washington
$85,970
$102,350
New Jersey
$81,600
$78,200
Connecticut
$78,820
$80,600
Ohio
$77,910
$77,370

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondarys or Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educations?

Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondarys earn more nationally. The median is $93,250 for Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondarys versus $63,970 for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educations, a difference of $29K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary or Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary or Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?

Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary typically requires bachelor's degree. Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondarys get paid the most?

California is the top-paying state for Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondarys at $132,960/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary vs. Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondarys earn $132,960 vs. $99,650 for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educations. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary salary breakdownView →Full Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary breakdownView →Best cities for Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondarys by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educations by take-home payExplore →How to become a chemistry teachers, postsecondaryGuide →How to become a elementary school teachers, except special educationGuide →