General
Elementary Education
Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Elementary Education.
Entry Level Salary
$40,518
Median Salary
$60,000
Unemployment Rate
1.6%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
14.3%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $2,400,000
Entry (Early)
$40,518
Median (Prime)
$60,000
High (Prime)
$62,000
ROI Sensitivity Analysis
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-90k
+81k
+97k
$25k / yr
-180k
-9k
+7k
$50k / yr
-270k
-99k
-83k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
34
32
$25k / yr
Never
Never
59
$50k / yr
Never
Never
Never
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-166%
-9%
7%
$50k / yr
-124%
-46%
-38%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate44.9%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.
Top Professions
Elementary and middle school teachers
44.2% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$42,691
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$56,000|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Preschool and kindergarten teachers
6.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$40,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$47,195|$40,090
openings
78,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.1%
Education and childcare administrators
4.4% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$47,195
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$85,000|$100,650
openings
45,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.3%
Special education teachers
4.0% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$45,020
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$58,526|$64,270
openings
37,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.4%
Secondary school teachers
3.5% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$43,066
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$58,526|$64,530
openings
72,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%
Teaching assistants
1.6% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$22,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$22,536|$35,550
openings
195,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.9%
Postsecondary teachers
1.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$27,073
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$64,000|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive
1.4% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$23,598
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$31,238|$46,290
openings
202,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%
Other teachers and instructors
1.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$30,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$40,518|$44,220
openings
171,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +1.4%
Management occupations
1.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$45,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$76,692|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| specialized sales, merchandising and marketing operations. | Undergrad Certificate | 23 | $47,402 - $48,615 |
| specialized sales, merchandising and marketing operations. | Associate's Degree | 55 | $36,560 - $72,595 |
| specialized sales, merchandising and marketing operations. | Bachelor's Degree | 76 | $34,925 - $80,764 |
| specialized sales, merchandising and marketing operations. | Master's Degree | 10 | $62,856 - $226,638 |
| specialized sales, merchandising and marketing operations. | Graduate Certificate | 1 | Data N/A |