SalaryByCity

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education vs Mechanical 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

Mechanical Engineers

$102,320

Median annual salary

286,760 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Mechanical Engineers professionals earn $39,980 more per year than Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education professionals — that's 64.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education earns $102,010 compared to $161,240 for Mechanical Engineers.

Salary Range Comparison

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$46,440 – $102,010
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
$46,440$161,240

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileElementary School Teachers, Except Special EducationMechanical EngineersDifference
10th Percentile$46,440$68,740$-22,300
25th Percentile$50,680$81,800$-31,120
Median (50th)$62,340$102,320$-39,980
75th Percentile$79,410$130,290$-50,880
90th Percentile$102,010$161,240$-59,230
Mean (Average)$69,790$110,080$-40,290

Employment Numbers

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

1,393,310

employed nationwide

Mechanical Engineers

286,760

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 Mechanical Engineers

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$147,730
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$145,640
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$128,660
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX$126,870
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH$124,160

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education or Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $39,980 (64.1% 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 Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers salaries range from $68,740 (10th percentile) to $161,240 (90th percentile), with a median of $102,320.
How many Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education and Mechanical Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,393,310 Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education positions and 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Mechanical 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 Mechanical Engineers earns $102,320. 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