SalaryByCity

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education vs Paralegals and Legal 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

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

$61,010

Median annual salary

367,220 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education professionals earn $1,330 more per year than Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals — that's 2.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education earns $102,010 compared to $98,990 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants.

Salary Range Comparison

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$46,440 – $102,010
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
$39,710$102,010

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileElementary School Teachers, Except Special EducationParalegals and Legal AssistantsDifference
10th Percentile$46,440$39,710+$6,730
25th Percentile$50,680$48,190+$2,490
Median (50th)$62,340$61,010+$1,330
75th Percentile$79,410$78,280+$1,130
90th Percentile$102,010$98,990+$3,020
Mean (Average)$69,790$66,510+$3,280

Employment Numbers

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

1,393,310

employed nationwide

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

367,220

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 Paralegals and Legal Assistants

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$97,740
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$85,230
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$84,950
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$80,550
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO$79,240

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $1,330 (2.2% 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 Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Paralegals and Legal Assistants salaries range from $39,710 (10th percentile) to $98,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $61,010.
How many Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education and Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,393,310 Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education positions and 367,220 Paralegals and Legal Assistants positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Paralegals and Legal 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 Paralegals and Legal Assistants earns $61,010. 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