SalaryByCity

Cooks, Restaurant vs Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education: Salary Comparison (2024)

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

Cooks, Restaurant

$36,830

Median annual salary

1,452,130 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 $25,510 more per year than Cooks, Restaurant professionals — that's 69.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cooks, Restaurant earns $47,340 compared to $102,010 for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education.

Salary Range Comparison

Cooks, Restaurant$28,010 – $47,340
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$46,440 – $102,010
$28,010$102,010

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileCooks, RestaurantElementary School Teachers, Except Special EducationDifference
10th Percentile$28,010$46,440$-18,430
25th Percentile$31,310$50,680$-19,370
Median (50th)$36,830$62,340$-25,510
75th Percentile$43,610$79,410$-35,800
90th Percentile$47,340$102,010$-54,670
Mean (Average)$37,730$69,790$-32,060

Employment Numbers

Cooks, Restaurant

1,452,130

employed nationwide

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

1,393,310

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Cooks, Restaurant

CityMedian
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH$46,970
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$46,960
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$46,180
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$45,230
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$45,040

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: Cooks, Restaurant or Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $25,510 (69.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Cooks, Restaurant?
Cooks, Restaurant salaries range from $28,010 (10th percentile) to $47,340 (90th percentile), with a median of $36,830.
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 Cooks, Restaurant and Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,452,130 Cooks, Restaurant 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 Cooks, Restaurant?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cooks, Restaurant has a median salary of $36,830 while Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education earns $62,340. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.

Career Resources

Career Change Resources

Explore tools and guides for transitioning between careers.

Professional Certifications

Find certifications that can boost your earning potential.

Online Degree Programs

Browse accredited online degrees relevant to these careers.

Resume Writing Services

Get professional help crafting a standout resume.

Explore More

Cost of Living by CityCollege & University DataSalary Calculators

Was this data helpful?

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