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Salary comparison

Self-Enrichment Teachers vs. Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education: Who Earns More?

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education out-earn Self-Enrichment Teachers by $17K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Self-Enrichment Teachers land at $46,800 and Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education at $63,970. The education gap is real: self-enrichment teacher programs typically require bachelor's degree, while elementary school teachers, except special education programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Self-Enrichment Teachers is District of Columbia ($66,430); for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education it's Washington ($102,350).

Self-Enrichment Teachers
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Median salary
$46,800
$63,970
Hourly rate
$22.5/hr
$null/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$30,050
$47,960
Senior level (90th %)
$92,840
$104,340
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
332,110
1,388,390
Job growth (10-year)
3.7%
-2%
Category
Education
Education
Top-paying state
District of Columbia
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Self-Enrichment Teachers median pay.

State
Self-Enrichment Teachers
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
District of Columbia
$66,430
$96,580
New York
$57,790
$85,760
Connecticut
$55,240
$80,600
Oregon
$53,790
$77,130
New Jersey
$53,780
$78,200
Maryland
$51,630
$77,680
California
$49,570
$99,650
Massachusetts
$49,430
$94,000
Washington
$48,020
$102,350
Alaska
$47,710
$79,260
Minnesota
$45,660
$76,350
Rhode Island
$41,960
$90,930
Pennsylvania
$41,740
$77,060
Ohio
$37,360
$77,370
Delaware
$34,730
$75,920

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Self-Enrichment Teachers or Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education earn more nationally. The median is $46,800 for Self-Enrichment Teachers versus $63,970 for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, a difference of $17K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Self-Enrichment Teachers or Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?

Self-Enrichment Teachers has the better 10-year outlook at 3.7% projected growth, compared to -2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Self-Enrichment Teachers or Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?

Self-Enrichment Teachers 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 Self-Enrichment Teachers get paid the most?

District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Self-Enrichment Teachers at $66,430/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

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

The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Self-Enrichment Teachers earn $66,430 vs. $96,580 for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Self-Enrichment Teachers salary breakdownView →Full Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary breakdownView →Best cities for Self-Enrichment Teachers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education by take-home payExplore →How to become a self-enrichment teachersGuide →How to become a elementary school teachers, except special educationGuide →