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Salary comparison

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

Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary out-earn Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education by $14K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary land at $77,570 and Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education at $63,970. The education gap is real: social work teachers, postsecondary programs typically require bachelor's degree, while elementary school teachers, except special education programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary is Hawaii ($133,340); for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education it's Washington ($102,350).

Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Median salary
$77,570
$63,970
Hourly rate
$null/hr
$null/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$48,200
$47,960
Senior level (90th %)
$126,790
$104,340
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
12,610
1,388,390
Job growth (10-year)
2.3%
-2%
Category
Education
Education
Top-paying state
Hawaii
Washington

Pay by state

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

State
Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Delaware
$100,550
$75,920
New York
$98,700
$85,760
Maryland
$97,110
$77,680
Minnesota
$82,470
$76,350
Utah
$81,850
$74,810
California
$81,500
$99,650
Connecticut
$79,960
$80,600
Massachusetts
$79,710
$94,000
Washington
$77,920
$102,350
New Jersey
$77,570
$78,200
Illinois
$77,010
$75,320
Pennsylvania
$75,920
$77,060
Oregon
$74,320
$77,130
New Mexico
$69,950
$74,550
Ohio
$60,930
$77,370

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary or Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?

Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary earn more nationally. The median is $77,570 for Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary versus $63,970 for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, a difference of $14K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

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

Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary has the better 10-year outlook at 2.3% projected growth, compared to -2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

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

Social Work 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 Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary get paid the most?

Hawaii is the top-paying state for Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary at $133,340/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

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

The gap varies significantly by state. In Delaware, Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary earn $100,550 vs. $75,920 for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary salary breakdownView →Full Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary breakdownView →Best cities for Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education by take-home payExplore →How to become a social work teachers, postsecondaryGuide →How to become a elementary school teachers, except special educationGuide →