Elementary School Teachers Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$61,940
- 25th Percentile — Junior$77,140
- 50th Percentile — Median$99,650
- 75th Percentile — Senior$119,970
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$127,070
Half of Elementary School Teachers in California earn more than $99,650. The top 10% make $127,070 or more, while entry-level workers start around $61,940.
Elementary School Teachers in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 2nd of 51 states for Elementary School Teachers pay, at $95,670 per year (31.7% above the U.S. average of $72,650).
- 155,160 people work as Elementary School Teachers in California — 11.2% of all U.S. Elementary School Teachers jobs.
- Location quotient 0.95: Elementary School Teachers jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $61,940; the top 10% earn over $127,070.
- Hourly equivalent: $46.0 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Washington at $97,970.
- Among education jobs in California, Chemistry Professors pays the most ($154,490).
Elementary School Teachers Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Elementary School Teachers here earn $95,670 on average, placing the state 2nd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $95,670 is roughly equivalent to $67,373 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Washington ($97,970), District of Columbia ($93,910), New York ($93,400) are the closest alternatives for Elementary School Teachers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Education Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chemistry Professors $154,490/yr California +61.5% vs this role
- Biological Science Professors $146,810/yr California +53.5% vs this role
- Mathematical Science Professors $141,340/yr California +47.7% vs this role
- Business Professors $140,670/yr California +47.0% vs this role
- Computer Science Professors $137,170/yr California +43.4% vs this role
- English Language Professors $134,950/yr California +41.1% vs this role
- Education Professors $113,870/yr California +19.0% vs this role
- Secondary School Teachers $105,880/yr California +10.7% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Elementary School Teachers salary in California?
The average Elementary School Teachers salary in California is $95,670 per year (median $99,650), which is 31.7% above the national average of $72,650.
How does California rank for Elementary School Teachers pay?
California ranks 2nd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Washington ($97,970/yr).
How much do entry-level Elementary School Teachers make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Elementary School Teachers in California earn about $61,940 per year and the 25th percentile is $77,140.
How much do Elementary School Teachers make per hour in California?
About $46.0 per hour, based on the $95,670 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Elementary School Teachers work in California?
BLS counts 155,160 Elementary School Teachers jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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