Side-by-side compensation comparison across national and state-level data.
College Professors out-earn Elementary Teachers by $45,400 (39%) on median.
Percentiles for 2026. Higher percentile values reflect senior/specialized roles.
| Percentile | Elementary Teacher | College Professor | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th | $55,200 | $84,400 | $29,200 |
| Median (50th) | $71,400 | $116,800 | $45,400 |
| 75th | $90,900 | $164,400 | $73,500 |
| 90th (top earners) | $110,300 | $232,500 | $122,200 |
Which job wins in each state (based on median annual salary).
| State | Elementary Teacher | College Professor | Higher Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $105,700 | $151,900 | College Professor |
| Texas | $77,100 | $126,200 | College Professor |
| Florida | $72,800 | $119,100 | College Professor |
| New York | $103,500 | $146,000 | College Professor |
| Pennsylvania | $74,200 | $121,500 | College Professor |
| Illinois | $77,800 | $127,300 | College Professor |
| Ohio | $66,400 | $108,600 | College Professor |
| Georgia | $73,500 | $120,300 | College Professor |
| North Carolina | $70,700 | $115,600 | College Professor |
| Michigan | $68,500 | $112,100 | College Professor |
| New Jersey | $92,800 | $147,200 | College Professor |
| Virginia | $80,700 | $132,000 | College Professor |
| Washington | $92,800 | $151,900 | College Professor |
| Arizona | $72,100 | $118,000 | College Professor |
| Massachusetts | $95,700 | $151,900 | College Professor |
Tenured/tenure-track. Business and engineering professors earn 50-80% more than humanities.
Nationally, College Professors out-earn Elementary Teachers by approximately $45,400 per year (39% difference). However, this varies by state, experience level, and specific employer.
Both fields have positive 2026 growth outlooks. Elementary Teachers are projected at +4.0% YoY wage growth, while College Professors are at +4.0%. Beyond wage growth, consider opportunity density (job openings) and your geographic flexibility.
Elementary Teacher typically requires: K-5 teaching. Step + lane salary schedules in most districts.. College Professor typically requires: Tenured/tenure-track. Business and engineering professors earn 50-80% more than humanities.. Compare the formal requirements against your existing skills and education to assess the switching cost.
Salary is one input among many. Job satisfaction, skills transferability, geographic fit, and long-term ceiling matter as much as median pay. Use this as a benchmark, then dig into job descriptions and talk to people in both fields before deciding.