Based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data — updated August 12, 2026.
| California | National | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $101,370 | $74,587 | +36% |
| Median hourly wage | $48.74 | $35.86 | +36% |
Adjusted for local price levels (100 = national average), the cost-adjusted median is $91,572.
| City | Median | Entry Level | Experienced | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City-level data coming soon. | ||||
The median annual salary for a High School Teacher in California is $101,370, or about $48.74 per hour, according to BLS OEWS data.
The national median for High School Teachers is $74,587. California is +36% above the national median.
Entry-level high school teachers in California typically earn from varies by experience depending on the city and employer.
With 99,230 high school teacher jobs on record and a median salary of $101,370, California offers above-average pay compared to the rest of the country.