Based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data — updated August 12, 2026.
| California | National | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $98,950 | $71,125 | +39% |
| Median hourly wage | $47.57 | $34.19 | +39% |
Adjusted for local price levels (100 = national average), the cost-adjusted median is $89,386.
| City | Median | Entry Level | Experienced | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City-level data coming soon. | ||||
The median annual salary for a Middle School Teacher in California is $98,950, or about $47.57 per hour, according to BLS OEWS data.
The national median for Middle School Teachers is $71,125. California is +39% above the national median.
Entry-level middle school teachers in California typically earn from varies by experience depending on the city and employer.
With 37,300 middle school teacher jobs on record and a median salary of $98,950, California offers above-average pay compared to the rest of the country.