California Median
$99,650
per year
Hourly Rate
$47.91
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+56% vs US median
US median $63,970
State Rank
#2 of 51
155,160 employed here
How much does an Elementary School Teacher, Except Special Education make in California?
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education in California take home a median of $99,650 annually — roughly $47.91 an hour — which runs 56% above the national median of $63,970.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $61,940 while the top 10% make $127,070 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $77,140 and $119,970 a year.
Elementary School Teacher, Except Special Education salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,940 | $29.78 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $77,140 | $37.09 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $99,650 | $47.91 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $119,970 | $57.68 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,070 | $61.09 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories for Elementary School Teacher, Except Special Education pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Elementary School Teacher, Except Special Education salary in other states
Washington $102,350District of Columbia $96,580Massachusetts $94,000Rhode Island $90,930New York $85,760Connecticut $80,600Alaska $79,260New Jersey $78,200Maryland $77,680Ohio $77,370Oregon $77,130Pennsylvania $77,060Minnesota $76,350Delaware $75,920Illinois $75,320Utah $74,810New Mexico $74,550New Hampshire $72,410Georgia $72,290Hawaii $71,410Virginia $65,550Michigan $65,110Nevada $65,040Colorado $63,410Vermont $63,070Texas $62,760Maine $62,390Nebraska $62,380Idaho $61,600Alabama $61,380Wisconsin $61,210Wyoming $61,150South Carolina $60,820Kentucky $60,610Iowa $60,580North Dakota $60,030Tennessee $59,980Indiana $59,700Florida $58,930Louisiana $58,770Montana $57,530Arizona $56,590Kansas $56,450West Virginia $55,630North Carolina $54,930Arkansas $52,700Missouri $50,910South Dakota $50,130Mississippi $49,790Oklahoma $48,200
Working as an Elementary School Teacher, Except Special Education in California
Nationally, about 1,388,000 people work as Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($99,650) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Elementary School Teacher, Except Special Education make in California?
The median Elementary School Teacher, Except Special Education salary in California is $99,650 per year, or about $47.91 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $61,940 at the entry level to $127,070 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education about 56% more than the national median of $63,970. California ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $99,650 a year. About 155,160 Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Elementary School Teacher, Except Special Education salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.