One of the leading deterrents for college students hoping to attain teaching certification in California is the prospect of what kind of salary they can expect after fulfilling the teaching requirements in California and beginning their new career. The average salary of a teacher in California is determined by many different factors. Therefore, it is best to view the state averages for the entry-level, mid-point, and salary offerings. An entry-level teacher’s salary starts at an average of $39,972, while the midpoint is $59,193. Finally, the average for experienced teachers is $78,413. However, remember that these amounts are the statewide averages for a California certified teacher, and many districts can be found providing much larger annual salaries.
Those interested in becoming a teacher in California should refer to the following list provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The table shows the average salaries of teachers for various post-secondary teaching positions within California as well as numerous K-12 teaching salaries, compared against the annual mean wage of the U.S.
| Occupation | Annual mean wage in California | Annual mean wage in U.S. |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $104,060 | $86,620 |
| Physics Teachers Postsecondary | $109,370 | $86,730 |
| Psychology Teachers Postsecondary | $90,720 | $74,890 |
| Education Teachers Postsecondary | $79,120 | $65,050 |
| English Language and Literature Teachers Postsecondary | $95,520 | $68,760 |
| Preschool Teachers Except Special Education | $32,380 | $30,150 |
| Kindergarten Teachers Except Special Education | $61,150 | $52,350 |
| Elementary School Teachers Except Special Education | $65,660 | $55,270 |
| Middle School Teachers Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $64,880 | $55,780 |
| Secondary School Teachers Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $65,620 | $56,760 |
| Special Education Teachers Preschool Kindergarten and Elementary School | $65,970 | $56,460 |
| Special Education Teachers Middle School | $63,750 | $58,420 |
| Special Education Teachers Secondary School | $66,390 | $59,080 |
An additional determining factor of salary is the region, county, and district in which you seek employment. The following table shows the differences between three of California’s largest urban centers.
| City | Annual mean wage |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA | $59,120 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos CA | $56,550 |
| San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City CA | $61,450 |
Helpful Resources
- California Department of Education – average salaries
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – annual wages for education, training, and library occupations