SalaryByCity

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education vs Industrial Engineers: 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

Industrial Engineers

$101,140

Median annual salary

350,230 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Industrial Engineers professionals earn $38,800 more per year than Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education professionals — that's 62.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education earns $102,010 compared to $157,140 for Industrial Engineers.

Salary Range Comparison

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$46,440 – $102,010
Industrial Engineers$70,000 – $157,140
$46,440$157,140

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileElementary School Teachers, Except Special EducationIndustrial EngineersDifference
10th Percentile$46,440$70,000$-23,560
25th Percentile$50,680$81,910$-31,230
Median (50th)$62,340$101,140$-38,800
75th Percentile$79,410$127,480$-48,070
90th Percentile$102,010$157,140$-55,130
Mean (Average)$69,790$107,900$-38,110

Employment Numbers

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

1,393,310

employed nationwide

Industrial Engineers

350,230

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 Industrial Engineers

CityMedian
New Orleans-Metairie, LA$139,130
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$136,290
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$133,790
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$126,530
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$126,310

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education or Industrial Engineers?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $38,800 (62.2% 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 Industrial Engineers?
Industrial Engineers salaries range from $70,000 (10th percentile) to $157,140 (90th percentile), with a median of $101,140.
How many Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education and Industrial Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,393,310 Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education positions and 350,230 Industrial Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Industrial Engineers 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 Industrial Engineers earns $101,140. 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