SalaryByCity

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education vs Fast Food and Counter Workers: 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

Fast Food and Counter Workers

$30,480

Median annual salary

3,780,930 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education professionals earn $31,860 more per year than Fast Food and Counter Workers professionals — that's 104.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education earns $102,010 compared to $38,800 for Fast Food and Counter Workers.

Salary Range Comparison

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$46,440 – $102,010
Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,620 – $38,800
$22,620$102,010

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileElementary School Teachers, Except Special EducationFast Food and Counter WorkersDifference
10th Percentile$46,440$22,620+$23,820
25th Percentile$50,680$27,150+$23,530
Median (50th)$62,340$30,480+$31,860
75th Percentile$79,410$35,440+$43,970
90th Percentile$102,010$38,800+$63,210
Mean (Average)$69,790$31,350+$38,440

Employment Numbers

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

1,393,310

employed nationwide

Fast Food and Counter Workers

3,780,930

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 Fast Food and Counter Workers

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$42,660
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$40,470
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$38,310
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$37,650
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$36,480

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education or Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $31,860 (104.5% 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 Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Fast Food and Counter Workers salaries range from $22,620 (10th percentile) to $38,800 (90th percentile), with a median of $30,480.
How many Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education and Fast Food and Counter Workers jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,393,310 Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education positions and 3,780,930 Fast Food and Counter Workers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Fast Food and Counter Workers 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 Fast Food and Counter Workers earns $30,480. 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