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Salary comparison

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

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educations out-earn Preschool Teachers, Except Special Educations by $26K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Preschool Teachers, Except Special Educations land at $38,140 and Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educations at $63,970. The education gap is real: preschool teachers, except special education programs typically require bachelor's degree, while elementary school teachers, except special education programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Educations is District of Columbia ($62,150); for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educations it's Washington ($102,350).

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Median salary
$38,140
$63,970
Hourly rate
$18.34/hr
$null/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$28,990
$47,960
Senior level (90th %)
$61,390
$104,340
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
478,780
1,388,390
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
1%
Category
Education
Education
Top-paying state
District of Columbia
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education median pay.

State
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
District of Columbia
$62,150
$96,580
New Jersey
$48,220
$78,200
California
$47,400
$99,650
New York
$46,520
$85,760
Alaska
$46,130
$79,260
Massachusetts
$45,890
$94,000
Connecticut
$45,740
$80,600
Washington
$45,660
$102,350
Oregon
$45,140
$77,130
Maryland
$44,600
$77,680
Minnesota
$43,430
$76,350
Rhode Island
$36,830
$90,930
Delaware
$36,360
$75,920
Pennsylvania
$36,050
$77,060
Ohio
$35,180
$77,370

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

Common questions

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

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educations earn more nationally. The median is $38,140 for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Educations versus $63,970 for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educations, a difference of $26K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

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

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education 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 Preschool Teachers, Except Special Educations get paid the most?

District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Educations at $62,150/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

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

The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Preschool Teachers, Except Special Educations earn $62,150 vs. $96,580 for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educations. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

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