Middle School Teachers Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$62,410
- 25th Percentile — Junior$76,270
- 50th Percentile — Median$98,950
- 75th Percentile — Senior$111,610
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$129,500
Half of Middle School Teachers in California earn more than $98,950. The top 10% make $129,500 or more, while entry-level workers start around $62,410.
Middle School Teachers in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 3rd of 51 states for Middle School Teachers pay, at $94,680 per year (31.4% above the U.S. average of $72,030).
- 37,300 people work as Middle School Teachers in California — 6.0% of all U.S. Middle School Teachers jobs.
- Location quotient 0.51: Middle School Teachers jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $62,410; the top 10% earn over $129,500.
- Hourly equivalent: $45.52 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Washington at $99,330.
- Among education jobs in California, Chemistry Professors pays the most ($154,490).
Middle 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. Middle School Teachers here earn $94,680 on average, placing the state 3rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $94,680 is roughly equivalent to $66,676 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Washington ($99,330), New York ($95,960), Massachusetts ($87,300) are the closest alternatives for Middle 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 +63.2% vs this role
- Biological Science Professors $146,810/yr California +55.1% vs this role
- Mathematical Science Professors $141,340/yr California +49.3% vs this role
- Business Professors $140,670/yr California +48.6% vs this role
- Computer Science Professors $137,170/yr California +44.9% vs this role
- English Language Professors $134,950/yr California +42.5% vs this role
- Education Professors $113,870/yr California +20.3% vs this role
- Secondary School Teachers $105,880/yr California +11.8% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Middle School Teachers salary in California?
The average Middle School Teachers salary in California is $94,680 per year (median $98,950), which is 31.4% above the national average of $72,030.
How does California rank for Middle School Teachers pay?
California ranks 3rd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Washington ($99,330/yr).
How much do entry-level Middle School Teachers make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Middle School Teachers in California earn about $62,410 per year and the 25th percentile is $76,270.
How much do Middle School Teachers make per hour in California?
About $45.52 per hour, based on the $94,680 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Middle School Teachers work in California?
BLS counts 37,300 Middle School Teachers jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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