Based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data — updated August 12, 2026.
| California | National | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $82,550 | $66,997 | +23% |
| Median hourly wage | $39.69 | $32.21 | +23% |
Adjusted for local price levels (100 = national average), the cost-adjusted median is $74,571.
| City | Median | Entry Level | Experienced | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City-level data coming soon. | ||||
The median annual salary for a Kindergarten Teacher in California is $82,550, or about $39.69 per hour, according to BLS OEWS data.
The national median for Kindergarten Teachers is $66,997. California is +23% above the national median.
Entry-level kindergarten teachers in California typically earn from varies by experience depending on the city and employer.
With 7,430 kindergarten teacher jobs on record and a median salary of $82,550, California offers above-average pay compared to the rest of the country.