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Elementary School Teacher Salary in San Diego, California

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$89,122/ year

Median Elementary School Teacher in San Diego, CA

$55,498
10th
$67,680
25th
$89,122
Median
$113,761
75th
$138,788
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$89,122
Total compensation (est.)
$102,490
Bonus range
$2,350 – $9,480
Mean salary
$94,469

How This Compares

San Diego, CA median
$89,122
California median
$63,128+41.2%
National median
$61,890+44.0%

Cost of living in San Diego is 44% above the national average. Salary of $89,122 here is equivalent to $61,890 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$64,168-28.0%
3-5 years
$81,101-9.0%
6-10 years
$99,817+12.0%
10+ years
$122,988+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$78,427-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$89,122
Enterprise (5,000+)
$105,164+18.0%

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Elementary School Teacher Salaries in Nearby Cities

Los Angeles, CA$93,454/yr
San Jose, CA$110,164/yr
San Francisco, CA$114,497/yr
Fresno, CA$61,890/yr
Sacramento, CA$61,890/yr

Related Jobs in San Diego

High School Teacher$89,798/yr
Special Education Teacher$89,021/yr
School Counselor$89,640/yr
University Professor$121,507/yr
Instructional Designer$112,306/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$43/hr
Monthly gross$7,427/mo
25th percentile$67,680/yr
75th percentile$113,761/yr

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Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

California Unemployment

Dec 2025

5.5%-0.10

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

Elementary School Teacher Salaries by City

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Elementary School Teacher salary in San Diego?

The median Elementary School Teacher salary in San Diego is $89,122 per year, with a range from $67,680 at the 25th percentile to $113,761 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does Elementary School Teacher pay in San Diego compare to the national average?

Elementary School Teacher salaries in San Diego are 44% above the national median of $61,890. After adjusting for San Diego's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $61,890 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect Elementary School Teacher salaries in San Diego?

In San Diego, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Elementary School Teacher roles start around $55,498, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $138,788 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is San Diego a good place for Elementary School Teacher jobs?

San Diego offers a Elementary School Teacher median of $89,122, which is 44% above the US median of $61,890. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — San Diego is 44% more expensive than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher Elementary School Teacher salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for Elementary School Teacher in San Diego is $113,761, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.