What Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education this way: "Teach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among the students"; "Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health"; "Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities"; "Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests"; "Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is bachelor's degree.
Job outlook for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 1,419,300 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 1,413,400 in 2035, a decrease of 5,900 jobs (-0.4%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 87,500 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 6.2% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $63,970, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education earn the most
Across the 29 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $55,602 in Arizona to $98,677 in California, a gap of $43,076 (1.77 times). 20 of those 29 states average above the BLS national median of $63,970 and 9 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 154,660, which is 9.6% of the 1,613,100 counted across them. New York follows with 131,220.
Highest-paying states
California ($98,677), Washington ($96,594) and New Hampshire ($93,609) lead the ranking, while Arizona ($55,602) and North Carolina ($55,607) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education: pay against the cost of living
We compare 46 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Rockingham County, NH (Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH) at $48,314. The smallest margin is $16,159 in Miami-Dade County, FL.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 46 of the 46 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 20.5% and 52.0% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (25-2000) include Special Education Teachers, Secondary School, Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, Special Education Teachers, Middle School and Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education.
Frequently asked questions about Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
What is the national median wage for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $63,970. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $55,602 to $98,677.
Which state pays Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education the most?
California, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $98,677. Washington is next at $96,594.
What is the job outlook for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?
BLS projects employment to shrink by 0.4% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 87,500 openings a year.
What education do Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education need?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, according to BLS.
Where can Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Rockingham County, NH leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $48,314 on a median wage of $98,060.