SalaryByCity

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education vs Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers: 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

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

$76,290

Median annual salary

666,990 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers professionals earn $13,950 more per year than Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education professionals — that's 22.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education earns $102,010 compared to $115,280 for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers.

Salary Range Comparison

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$46,440 – $102,010
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$47,640 – $115,280
$46,440$115,280

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileElementary School Teachers, Except Special EducationPolice and Sheriff's Patrol OfficersDifference
10th Percentile$46,440$47,640$-1,200
25th Percentile$50,680$58,980$-8,300
Median (50th)$62,340$76,290$-13,950
75th Percentile$79,410$97,190$-17,780
90th Percentile$102,010$115,280$-13,270
Mean (Average)$69,790$79,320$-9,530

Employment Numbers

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

1,393,310

employed nationwide

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

666,990

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 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$150,650
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$133,190
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$115,630
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$114,200
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$112,630

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $13,950 (22.4% 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 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salaries range from $47,640 (10th percentile) to $115,280 (90th percentile), with a median of $76,290.
How many Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education and Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,393,310 Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education positions and 666,990 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers 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 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers earns $76,290. 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