SalaryByCity

Childcare Workers vs Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Childcare Workers

$32,050

Median annual salary

520,180 employed nationally

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

$62,340

Median annual salary

1,393,310 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education professionals earn $30,290 more per year than Childcare Workers professionals — that's 94.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Childcare Workers earns $44,560 compared to $102,010 for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education.

Salary Range Comparison

Childcare Workers$22,900 – $44,560
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$46,440 – $102,010
$22,900$102,010

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileChildcare WorkersElementary School Teachers, Except Special EducationDifference
10th Percentile$22,900$46,440$-23,540
25th Percentile$28,000$50,680$-22,680
Median (50th)$32,050$62,340$-30,290
75th Percentile$36,960$79,410$-42,450
90th Percentile$44,560$102,010$-57,450
Mean (Average)$33,140$69,790$-36,650

Employment Numbers

Childcare Workers

520,180

employed nationwide

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

1,393,310

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Childcare Workers

CityMedian
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$44,970
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$43,640
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$40,180
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH$39,290
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO$38,720

Best Cities for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

CityMedian
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$100,580
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$99,970
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$99,780
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$98,890
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$98,270

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Childcare Workers or Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $30,290 (94.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Childcare Workers?
Childcare Workers salaries range from $22,900 (10th percentile) to $44,560 (90th percentile), with a median of $32,050.
What is the salary range for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salaries range from $46,440 (10th percentile) to $102,010 (90th percentile), with a median of $62,340.
How many Childcare Workers and Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education jobs are there?
There are approximately 520,180 Childcare Workers positions and 1,393,310 Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education to Childcare Workers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Childcare Workers has a median salary of $32,050 while Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education earns $62,340. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.

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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS