SalaryByCity

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education vs Medical Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)

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

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

$62,340

Median annual salary

1,393,310 employed nationally

Medical Assistants

$44,200

Median annual salary

793,460 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education professionals earn $18,140 more per year than Medical Assistants professionals — that's 41.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education earns $102,010 compared to $57,830 for Medical Assistants.

Salary Range Comparison

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$46,440 – $102,010
Medical Assistants$35,020 – $57,830
$35,020$102,010

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileElementary School Teachers, Except Special EducationMedical AssistantsDifference
10th Percentile$46,440$35,020+$11,420
25th Percentile$50,680$37,610+$13,070
Median (50th)$62,340$44,200+$18,140
75th Percentile$79,410$48,160+$31,250
90th Percentile$102,010$57,830+$44,180
Mean (Average)$69,790$44,720+$25,070

Employment Numbers

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

1,393,310

employed nationwide

Medical Assistants

793,460

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

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

Best Cities for Medical Assistants

CityMedian
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$62,570
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$62,290
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$59,910
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$58,850
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$52,040

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education or Medical Assistants?
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $18,140 (41.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Medical Assistants?
Medical Assistants salaries range from $35,020 (10th percentile) to $57,830 (90th percentile), with a median of $44,200.
How many Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education and Medical Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,393,310 Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education positions and 793,460 Medical Assistants positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Medical Assistants to Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education has a median salary of $62,340 while Medical Assistants earns $44,200. 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