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Salary comparison

English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary vs. Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education: Who Earns More?

English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary out-earn Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education by $15K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary land at $78,760 and Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education at $63,970. The education gap is real: english language and literature teachers, postsecondary programs typically require bachelor's degree, while elementary school teachers, except special education programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary is California ($130,490); for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education it's Washington ($102,350).

English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Median salary
$78,760
$63,970
Hourly rate
$null/hr
$null/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$48,270
$47,960
Senior level (90th %)
$137,250
$104,340
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
57,720
1,388,390
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
-2%
Category
Education
Education
Top-paying state
California
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary median pay.

State
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
California
$130,490
$99,650
Connecticut
$97,310
$80,600
Delaware
$97,100
$75,920
Oregon
$91,870
$77,130
New York
$84,850
$85,760
Minnesota
$84,200
$76,350
Massachusetts
$83,980
$94,000
Maryland
$83,760
$77,680
Alaska
$82,770
$79,260
District of Columbia
$82,300
$96,580
Pennsylvania
$80,670
$77,060
Washington
$79,840
$102,350
Rhode Island
$79,190
$90,930
New Jersey
$78,760
$78,200
Ohio
$65,140
$77,370

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

Common questions

Who earns more, English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary or Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?

English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary earn more nationally. The median is $78,760 for English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary versus $63,970 for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, a difference of $15K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary or Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?

English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary has the better 10-year outlook at 0% projected growth, compared to -2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary or Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?

English Language and Literature 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 English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary get paid the most?

California is the top-paying state for English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary at $130,490/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary vs. Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In California, English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary earn $130,490 vs. $99,650 for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary salary breakdownView →Full Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary breakdownView →Best cities for English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education by take-home payExplore →How to become a english language and literature teachers, postsecondaryGuide →How to become a elementary school teachers, except special educationGuide →