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As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Elementary Teacher in California is $67,471 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.
However, an Elementary Teacher's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Elementary Teacher Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $76,031 | $6,336 | $1,462 | $37 |
| Average | $67,471 | $5,623 | $1,298 | $32 |
| 25th Percentile | $57,593 | $4,799 | $1,108 | $28 |
Rocketship Public Schools - Concord, CA
Rocketship Public Schools - San Jose, CA
Rocketship Public Schools - Redwood City, CA
Creative Learning Academy Inc - Los Angeles, CA
An Elementary 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 an Elementary 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 Elementary Teacher | $63,506 |
| Intermediate Level Elementary Teacher | $63,810 |
| Senior Level Elementary Teacher | $67,471 |
| Specialist Level Elementary Teacher | $70,996 |
| Expert Level Elementary Teacher | $71,248 |
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 Elementary 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 Elementary Teacher roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 25% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Hospitality & Leisure, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Elementary Teacher positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Elementary Teacher as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospitality & Leisure | $74,218 | $36.0 | 10% |
| Healthcare | $70,845 | $34.0 | 5% |
Understanding how an Elementary 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 | $76,031 | $6,336 | $1,462 | $37 |
| Average | $67,471 | $5,623 | $1,298 | $32 |
| 25th Percentile | $57,593 | $4,799 | $1,108 | $28 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Elementary Teacher job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Hebrew Academy Orange County
Huntington Beach, CA
Hebrew Academy Orange County | Huntington Beach, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Job Title: Part-Time Lower Elementary Teacher (Grades 1–3). Location. Huntington Beach, CA. Reports to. General Studies P... more
3 Days Ago
ROSEVILLE COMMUNITY SCHOOL
Roseville, CA
ROSEVILLE COMMUNITY SCHOOL | Roseville, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Benefits. Employee's Child Tuition Incentive. 128 Instructional Days. Paid Sick Leave. Medical Stipend. Retirement (3% em... more
3 Days Ago
Art of Problem Solving
Santa Clara, CA
Art of Problem Solving | Santa Clara, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Join Our AoPS Academy as an Elementary. Instructor. Are you passionate about elementary level math and language arts. Do ... more
3 Days Ago
High Tech High
San Marcos, CA
High Tech High | San Marcos, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Elementary Teacher (5th Grade). . Reports To. School Director. FLSA Classification. Certificated, 188-day. Full Time/Part... more
2 Days Ago
Terra Marin
San Francisco, CA
Terra Marin | San Francisco, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Overview. Terra San Francisco School (TSFS) is a progressive Preschool-8th grade school that seeks to constructively and ... more
4 Days Ago
High Tech High
San Diego, CA
High Tech High | San Diego, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Elementary Teacher (Grades TK-2) 2026 - 2027 School Year. High Tech Elementary Schools - General Pool. . Reports To. Scho... more
2 Days Ago
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