Salaries › Elementary School Teacher › California
Elementary School Teacher Salary in California (2026)
— per hour · take-home ≈ $73,743/year ($6,145/month) for a single filer
Elementary School Teacher pay range in California
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $61,940 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $77,140 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $99,650 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $119,970 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $127,070 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 155,160 Elementary School Teacher jobs in California (occupation code 25-2021, “Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education”).
Gross vs. take-home in California
A median Elementary School Teacher salary of $99,650 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus California state income tax, a single filer keeps about $73,743 — an effective tax rate of 26.0%.
| Gross (median) | $99,650 |
| Federal income tax | −$13,093 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$7,623 |
| California state income tax | −$5,191 |
| Take-home (annual) | $73,743 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $6,145 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free California paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Elementary School Teacher make in California?
- The median Elementary School Teacher salary in California is $99,650 per year (— per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $77,140 and $119,970.
- What is the take-home pay for a Elementary School Teacher in California?
- On the median salary of $99,650, a single filer in California takes home about $73,743 per year ($6,145 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 26.0%.
- How many Elementary School Teacher jobs are there in California?
- BLS counts 155,160 Elementary School Teacher jobs in California in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Elementary School Teachers
Other salaries in California
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified California state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for California.