How much does an elementary school teacher make in California?
$99,650a year
Median yearly pay for elementary school teachers in California. That is $47.91 an hour or $8,304 a month.
- Hourly
- $47.91
- Vs. national median
- +56%
- Rank among states
- 2 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 155,160
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $61,940Median: $99,650Highest 10%: $127,100
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $61,940 | $29.78 | |
| 25th | $77,140 | $37.09 | |
| Median | $99,650 | $47.91 | |
| 75th | $120,000 | $57.68 | |
| 90th | $127,100 | $61.09 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Sacramento, CA | $103,400 |
| San Jose, CA | $102,900 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $101,900 |
| San Francisco, CA | $101,900 |
| Modesto, CA | $101,600 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $101,000 |
| Vallejo, CA | $100,800 |
| Napa, CA | $100,400 |
| El Centro, CA | $100,400 |
| Salinas, CA | $100,200 |
| Merced, CA | $100,100 |
| Oxnard, CA | $99,420 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $99,260 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $99,060 |
| Riverside, CA | $98,520 |
| Hanford, CA | $98,470 |
| Visalia, CA | $98,430 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $97,620 |
| Stockton, CA | $97,400 |
| San Diego, CA | $97,000 |
| Yuba City, CA | $97,000 |
| Chico, CA | $95,000 |
| Redding, CA | $83,780 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $79,900 |
| Fresno, CA | $78,800 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for elementary school teachers.
| 1. Washington | $102,400 |
| 2. California | $99,650 |
| 3. District of Columbia | $96,580 |
| 4. Massachusetts | $94,000 |
| 5. Rhode Island | $90,930 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an elementary school teacher make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $47.91 ($99,650 a year).
Do elementary school teachers make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $99,650 against $63,970 nationally, 56% more.
Where does California rank for elementary school teacher pay?
California ranks 2 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays elementary school teachers the most?
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA, with a median of $103,400 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.