verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

High School Teacher Salary in California

Median Annual in California
$101,370/yr
Median Hourly Wage
/hr
▲ 41% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in California

groups Employed in CA
99,230
public U.S. Median
$72,040
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$91,555 #2 of 51

High School Teacher pay in California, explained

High school teachers in California earn a median of $101,370 per year (— per hour), which is 41% above the national median of $72,040. Entry-level workers earn around $64,600, while the most experienced high school teachers reach about $132,600. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within California.

Is $101,370 good pay in California?

Adjusted for California's cost of living (which runs 111% of the U.S. average), that $101,370 is worth about $91,555 in national buying power — ranking California #2 for real pay (vs #2 on the sticker number).

See the full High School Teacher Real Pay Index arrow_forward

High School Teacher pay by experience in California

Entry level (10th pct)
$64,600
$31.06/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$101,370
—/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$132,600
$63.75/hr

High School Teacher pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs CA
California (here) $101,370 $91,555
Oregon $79,570 $76,983 +$21,800
Nevada $65,520 $65,534 +$35,850
Arizona $58,360 $57,968 +$43,010

High School Teacher in California: FAQ

How much do high school teachers make in California?

High school teachers in California earn a median of $101,370 per year (— per hour), compared with $72,040 nationally.

Does California pay high school teachers well?

At $101,370, California pays 41% above the national median for high school teachers. An estimated 99,230 work in the state.

High School Teacher salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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