SalaryByCity

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education vs Registered Nurses: 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

Registered Nurses

$93,600

Median annual salary

3,282,010 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Registered Nurses professionals earn $31,260 more per year than Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education professionals — that's 50.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education earns $102,010 compared to $135,320 for Registered Nurses.

Salary Range Comparison

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$46,440 – $102,010
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
$46,440$135,320

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileElementary School Teachers, Except Special EducationRegistered NursesDifference
10th Percentile$46,440$66,030$-19,590
25th Percentile$50,680$78,610$-27,930
Median (50th)$62,340$93,600$-31,260
75th Percentile$79,410$107,960$-28,550
90th Percentile$102,010$135,320$-33,310
Mean (Average)$69,790$98,430$-28,640

Employment Numbers

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

1,393,310

employed nationwide

Registered Nurses

3,282,010

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 Registered Nurses

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$208,940
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$188,020
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$169,210
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$133,440
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$133,090

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $31,260 (50.1% 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 Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses salaries range from $66,030 (10th percentile) to $135,320 (90th percentile), with a median of $93,600.
How many Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education and Registered Nurses jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,393,310 Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education positions and 3,282,010 Registered Nurses positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Registered Nurses 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 Registered Nurses earns $93,600. 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