Teacher Salary

Elk Grove vs Los Angeles: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

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

Elk Grove, CA
$101,758
$48.92/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$102,858
$49.45/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricElk Grove, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$101,758$102,858
Hourly Rate$48.92$49.45
Entry Level (P10)$71,890$62,860
25th Percentile$88,018$77,755
75th Percentile$129,752$125,013
Top Earner (P90)$157,725$130,395
Total Employed2544,790
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Elk Grove ($101,758) and Los Angeles ($102,858) elementary school teacher salaries.Elk GroveLos AngelesMedian Salary$101,758$102,858Entry Level (P10)$71,890$62,860Top Earner (P90)$157,725$130,395US Median $64,597

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Elk Grove and Los Angeles is $1,100 (1.08%). Los Angeles's median is +59.23% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Elk Grove spans $85,835,Los Angeles spans $67,535. Elk Grove has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Elk Grove
P10 (Entry)$71,890
P25$88,018
Median$101,758
P75$129,752
P90 (Top)$157,725
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, Los Angeles ($90,571 effective) pays 0.67% more than Elk Grove ($89,972 effective).

Elk Grove
Nominal: $101,758
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $89,972
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 Elk Grove if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($157,725)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($102,858/year)
  • Larger job market (44,790 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $90,571)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Elk Grove grew -4.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 16.1% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Elk Grove, CA

+-4.6%

$105,635 (2024) → $100,770 (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: Elk Grove or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $102,858/year, compared to Elk Grove at $101,758/year — a difference of $1,100 (1.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Elk Grove and Los Angeles?

Elk Grove elementary school teachers earn $48.92/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $49.45/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Elk Grove and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Elk Grove = $89,972, Los Angeles = $90,571), job availability (25 vs 44,790 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $71,890 in Elk Grove and $62,860 in Los Angeles. The Elk Grove 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