Teacher Salary

Anaheim vs Los Angeles: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Anaheim, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Anaheim, CA
$104,689
$50.33/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$102,858
$49.45/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAnaheim, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$104,689$102,858
Hourly Rate$50.33$49.45
Entry Level (P10)$73,864$62,860
25th Percentile$90,800$77,755
75th Percentile$134,001$125,013
Top Earner (P90)$162,268$130,395
Total Employed5144,790
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Anaheim ($104,689) and Los Angeles ($102,858) elementary school teacher salaries.AnaheimLos AngelesMedian Salary$104,689$102,858Entry Level (P10)$73,864$62,860Top Earner (P90)$162,268$130,395US Median $64,597

Verdict

Anaheim, CA offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Los Angeles.

The salary gap between Anaheim and Los Angeles is $1,831 (1.78%). Anaheim's median is +62.06% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Anaheim spans $88,404,Los Angeles spans $67,535. Anaheim has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Anaheim
P10 (Entry)$73,864
P25$90,800
Median$104,689
P75$134,001
P90 (Top)$162,268
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$62,860
P25$77,755
Median$102,858
P75$125,013
P90 (Top)$130,395

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Anaheim ($92,563 effective) pays 2.20% more than Los Angeles ($90,571 effective).

Anaheim
Nominal: $104,689
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $92,563
Los Angeles
Nominal: $102,858
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $90,571

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Anaheim if…

  • Higher median salary ($104,689/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($162,268)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $92,563)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Larger job market (44,790 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Anaheim grew -6.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 16.1% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Anaheim, CA

+-6.8%

$111,199 (2024) → $103,673 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+16.1%

$87,700 (2019) → $101,860 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Anaheim or Los Angeles?

Anaheim has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $104,689/year, compared to Los Angeles at $102,858/year — a difference of $1,831 (1.78%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Anaheim and Los Angeles?

Anaheim elementary school teachers earn $50.33/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $49.45/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Anaheim to Los Angeles as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Anaheim and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Anaheim = $92,563, Los Angeles = $90,571), job availability (51 vs 44,790 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Anaheim vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $73,864 in Anaheim and $62,860 in Los Angeles. The Anaheim area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, M.Ed.

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in elementary education. They focus on curriculum development and teaching methodologies. Their experience includes working in public schools.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, MAData verified by David Kim, Ed.D.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 0.98% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, M.Ed., a licensed elementary school teacher with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov