Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education pay in California
$95,670avg. a year
Annual salary · 155,160 employed
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education in California earn an average of $95,670 a year. That is $23,020 (32%) more than the U.S. average of $72,650. The best-paying metro area is El Centro, CA at $105,390.
$99,650Median pay
$95,670Average yearly
+12%Avg. pay since 2020
#2Of 50 states + D.C.
Top-paying California metro areas
Average pay for elementary school teachers, except special education by metro area. Swipe to see all 25.
1860 jobs
El Centro, CA
$105,390
a year
21,560 jobs
Merced, CA
$103,340
a year
37,810 jobs
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
$102,340
a year
42,450 jobs
Modesto, CA
$99,430
a year
517,860 jobs
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
$98,510
a year
644,790 jobs
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
$98,150
a year
72,440 jobs
Visalia, CA
$97,060
a year
818,850 jobs
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
$96,990
a year
9950 jobs
Hanford-Corcoran, CA
$96,110
a year
10570 jobs
Napa, CA
$95,140
a year
111,680 jobs
Vallejo, CA
$94,280
a year
122,170 jobs
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
$94,060
a year
1310,480 jobs
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA
$93,930
a year
142,280 jobs
Salinas, CA
$93,690
a year
153,060 jobs
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA
$92,780
a year
161,000 jobs
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
$91,820
a year
1711,340 jobs
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
$91,390
a year
181,140 jobs
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA
$90,780
a year
19920 jobs
Yuba City, CA
$90,780
a year
202,180 jobs
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA
$90,620
a year
213,380 jobs
Stockton-Lodi, CA
$90,390
a year
225,610 jobs
Fresno, CA
$90,130
a year
231,120 jobs
Chico, CA
$87,890
a year
244,540 jobs
Bakersfield-Delano, CA
$85,920
a year
251,110 jobs
Redding, CA
$85,800
a year
Why people trust JobPayFacts
Official government dataEvery number comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage survey of employers, not self-reported salaries.
Every state and city830 jobs across all 50 states, D.C. and 199 large metro areas.
Updated every yearNew figures each spring when BLS releases them. This site uses May 2025 data.
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education pay in California, charted
Pay over time
California, annual wage, May of each year
AverageMedian
Where California elementary school teachers, except special education work
Employment by metro area, May 2025
Average pay by state
May 2025 · California highlighted · tap a state
AKMEWIVTNHWAIDMTNDMNILMINYMAORNVWYSDIAINOHPANJCTRICAUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDEAZNMKSARTNNCSCDCOKLAMSALGAHITXFL
Under $59k$59k–$66k$66k–$75k$75k+California
California vs. neighbors
Average pay, May 2025
| Area | Avg. pay | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $72,650 | – |
| California | $95,670 | – |
| Oregon | $74,370 | – |
| Nevada | $65,840 | – |
| Arizona | $58,920 | – |
Related jobs in California
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$105,880
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$94,680
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$51,190
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$93,510
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$102,780
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$89,160
Average pay, California, May 2025
Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS
Questions and answers
How much do elementary school teachers, except special education make in California?
The average is $95,670 a year, and the median is $99,650. That is $23,020 (32%) more than the U.S. average of $72,650.
Where in California do they earn the most?
El Centro, CA ($105,390), followed by Merced, CA ($103,340). The lowest average among 25 metro areas with data is Redding, CA ($85,800).
How does California rank?
California ranks #2 of 51 states (including D.C.) with published data for this job, by average pay.
Sources and notes. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 (trend: May 2020–May 2025), occupation code 25-2021. State rank compares average pay across states with published data. Metro figures cover metropolitan statistical areas; a metro area can cross state lines. See also the national elementary school teachers, except special education page. Wages are gross pay before taxes and don't include overtime premiums, tips, bonuses or benefits; self-employed workers aren't included. Year-to-year changes can partly reflect survey method changes, so treat the trend as a guide. How we use the data. JobPayFacts isn't affiliated with BLS.