Education Los Angeles · 2026 +4.0% YoY proj.

Elementary Teacher Salary in Los Angeles

Entertainment, tech, aerospace — sprawling and high-paying. Here's how Elementary Teachers in Los Angeles get paid in 2026.

$96,500
Median Elementary Teacher salary in Los Angeles, Q1 2026.
Versus US median ($71,400): +35% · Versus California state ($105,700): -9%
Range: $73,400 (P25) → $125,500 (P75) → $159,200 (P90).
Pay distribution · 2026
P25
$73,400
MEDIAN
$96,500
P75
$125,500
P90
$159,200
By Tenure

Elementary Teacher Salary by Experience in Los Angeles

How pay scales with career stage in the Los Angeles metro market.

ExperienceMedian 202625th %75th %
Entry (0–1 yr)$67,500$51,300$87,800
Junior (2–4 yrs)$83,900$63,800$109,100
Mid-Level (5–9 yrs)$96,500$73,400$125,500
Senior (10–14 yrs)$115,800$88,000$150,600
Veteran (15+ yrs)$131,200$99,800$170,600
Metro Comparison

Elementary Teacher Pay in Other Top US Metros

Highest-paying metros for Elementary Teachers — useful if you're weighing a relocation.

Los Angeles Pay Map

Highest-Paying Jobs in Los Angeles

Top occupations by median pay across the Los Angeles metro economy.

→ See full Los Angeles salary guide for all 100 jobs

FAQ

Elementary Teacher Salary in Los Angeles: FAQ

What is the average Elementary Teacher salary in Los Angeles?

The average Elementary Teacher salary in the Los Angeles metro is $96,500 per year as of 2026, with a typical range of $73,400 to $125,500 (25th–75th percentile). Top earners (90th percentile) make $159,200 or more.

Does Los Angeles pay more than the rest of California?

Yes — Los Angeles pays -9% relative to the California state median for Elementary Teachers. Major metros typically concentrate higher-paying employers and command a wage premium over rural and small-city areas in the same state.

How does Los Angeles compare to other US metros for Elementary Teacher pay?

Los Angeles vs. national: +35%. That puts Los Angeles among the stronger US markets for Elementary Teachers — though cost of living in Los Angeles is also typically elevated.

What experience level does $96,500 represent?

In Los Angeles, the median Elementary Teacher salary of $96,500 typically corresponds to 5–9 years of experience (mid-level). Entry-level Elementary Teachers in Los Angeles start around $67,500, while seniors (10+ years) reach $115,800 or more.

Personal Audit

Are you underpaid as a Elementary Teacher in Los Angeles?

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