SalaryByCity

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education vs Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: 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

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

$62,970

Median annual salary

455,940 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals earn $630 more per year than Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education professionals — that's 1.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education earns $102,010 compared to $105,150 for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.

Salary Range Comparison

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$46,440 – $102,010
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
$40,670$105,150

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileElementary School Teachers, Except Special EducationPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersDifference
10th Percentile$46,440$40,670+$5,770
25th Percentile$50,680$48,860+$1,820
Median (50th)$62,340$62,970$-630
75th Percentile$79,410$81,900$-2,490
90th Percentile$102,010$105,150$-3,140
Mean (Average)$69,790$69,940$-150

Employment Numbers

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

1,393,310

employed nationwide

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

455,940

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 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

CityMedian
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$100,110
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI$98,890
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI$97,020
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$90,220
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$87,160

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education or Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $630 (1.0% 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 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salaries range from $40,670 (10th percentile) to $105,150 (90th percentile), with a median of $62,970.
How many Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education and Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,393,310 Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education positions and 455,940 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters 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 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earns $62,970. 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