Based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data — updated August 12, 2026.
| California | National | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $99,650 | $72,224 | +38% |
| Median hourly wage | $47.91 | $34.72 | +38% |
Adjusted for local price levels (100 = national average), the cost-adjusted median is $90,018.
| City | Median | Entry Level | Experienced | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City-level data coming soon. | ||||
The median annual salary for a Elementary School Teacher in California is $99,650, or about $47.91 per hour, according to BLS OEWS data.
The national median for Elementary School Teachers is $72,224. California is +38% above the national median.
Entry-level elementary school teachers in California typically earn from varies by experience depending on the city and employer.
With 155,160 elementary school teacher jobs on record and a median salary of $99,650, California offers above-average pay compared to the rest of the country.