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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a K-12 Teacher in California is $59,100 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.
However, a K-12 Teacher's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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K-12 Teacher Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $66,600 | $5,550 | $1,281 | $32 |
| Average | $59,100 | $4,925 | $1,137 | $28 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,100 | $4,175 | $963 | $24 |
PARENT EDUCATION BRIDGE FOR STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT FOUNDATION LLC - Victorville, CA
PARENT EDUCATION BRIDGE FOR STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT FOUNDATION LLC - San Diego, CA
PARENT EDUCATION BRIDGE FOR STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT FOUNDATION LLC - Adelanto, CA
JCYC.hr - San Francisco, CA
A K-12 Teacher's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a K-12 Teacher's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level K-12 Teacher | $56,187 |
| Intermediate Level K-12 Teacher | $56,454 |
| Senior Level K-12 Teacher | $59,672 |
| Specialist Level K-12 Teacher | $62,761 |
| Expert Level K-12 Teacher | $62,981 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract K-12 Teachers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
K-12 Teacher salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $64,140. While startup companies pay approximate $54,404.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $54,404 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $57,501 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $61,976 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $64,140 |
For K-12 Teacher roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, K-12 Teacher positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view K-12 Teacher as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $70,920 | $34.0 | 20% |
| Software & Networking | $70,920 | $34.0 | 20% |
| Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit | $65,010 | $31.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a K-12 Teacher's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $66,600 | $5,550 | $1,281 | $32 |
| Average | $59,100 | $4,925 | $1,137 | $28 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,100 | $4,175 | $963 | $24 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current K-12 Teacher job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Peninsula Family Service
Daly City, CA
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Norco, CA
Lotus Child Montessori
Fair Oaks, CA
Crystal Stairs
Los Angeles, CA
PARENT EDUCATION BRIDGE FOR STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT FOUNDATION LLC
Los Angeles, CA
KinderCare Learning Centers
Paso Robles, CA
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