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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Secondary Teacher in California is $57,990 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.
However, a Secondary Teacher's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Secondary Teacher Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $65,571 | $5,464 | $1,261 | $32 |
| Average | $57,990 | $4,833 | $1,115 | $28 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,183 | $4,015 | $927 | $23 |
Wonderful College Prep Academy - Delano, CA
MORONGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT - Twentynine Palms, CA
Fresno Unified School District - Fresno, CA
Kerman Unified School District - Kerman, CA
A Secondary 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 Secondary 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 Secondary Teacher | $57,037 |
| Intermediate Level Secondary Teacher | $57,309 |
| Senior Level Secondary Teacher | $60,599 |
| Specialist Level Secondary Teacher | $63,763 |
| Expert Level Secondary Teacher | $63,989 |
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 Secondary 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:
For Secondary 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, Secondary Teacher positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Secondary Teacher as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $69,588 | $33.0 | 20% |
| Software & Networking | $69,588 | $33.0 | 20% |
| Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit | $63,789 | $31.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Secondary 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 | $65,571 | $5,464 | $1,261 | $32 |
| Average | $57,990 | $4,833 | $1,115 | $28 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,183 | $4,015 | $927 | $23 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Secondary Teacher job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Fresno Unified School District
Fresno, CA
Fresno Unified School District | Fresno, CA
Certificated - Secondary - Other Foreign LanguageJob Number 2000003392Start DateOpen Date 12/15/2025Closing Date 06/30/2027NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENTFUSD... more
8 Days Ago
Mendota Elementary School
Mendota, CA
Mendota Elementary School | Mendota, CA
About the EmployerBuilding Scholars, Leaders, and ChampionsVision of Mendota UnifiedWe are committed to preparing and empowering our students to be competi... more
8 Days Ago
KinderCare
MERIDIAN, ID
KinderCare
TESUQUE PUEBLO, NM
KinderCare
SANDIA BASE, NM
KinderCare
KITTERY POINT, ME
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