SalaryByCity

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education vs Retail Salespersons: 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

Retail Salespersons

$34,580

Median annual salary

3,800,250 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education professionals earn $27,760 more per year than Retail Salespersons professionals — that's 80.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education earns $102,010 compared to $47,930 for Retail Salespersons.

Salary Range Comparison

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$46,440 – $102,010
Retail Salespersons$25,600 – $47,930
$25,600$102,010

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileElementary School Teachers, Except Special EducationRetail SalespersonsDifference
10th Percentile$46,440$25,600+$20,840
25th Percentile$50,680$29,140+$21,540
Median (50th)$62,340$34,580+$27,760
75th Percentile$79,410$37,850+$41,560
90th Percentile$102,010$47,930+$54,080
Mean (Average)$69,790$37,150+$32,640

Employment Numbers

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

1,393,310

employed nationwide

Retail Salespersons

3,800,250

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 Retail Salespersons

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$43,040
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$42,490
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$39,180
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO$37,500
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA$37,350

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education or Retail Salespersons?
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $27,760 (80.3% 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 Retail Salespersons?
Retail Salespersons salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $47,930 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,580.
How many Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education and Retail Salespersons jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,393,310 Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education positions and 3,800,250 Retail Salespersons positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Retail Salespersons 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 Retail Salespersons earns $34,580. 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