Teacher Salary

Folsom vs San Francisco: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Folsom, CA and San Francisco, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Folsom, CA
$105,109
$50.53/hr
San Francisco, CA
$102,858
$49.45/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFolsom, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$105,109$102,858
Hourly Rate$50.53$49.45
Entry Level (P10)$75,689$62,951
25th Percentile$92,023$79,229
75th Percentile$132,826$123,317
Top Earner (P90)$162,919$127,942
Total Employed1717,860
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Folsom ($105,109) and San Francisco ($102,858) elementary school teacher salaries.FolsomSan FranciscoMedian Salary$105,109$102,858Entry Level (P10)$75,689$62,951Top Earner (P90)$162,919$127,942US Median $64,597

Verdict

Folsom, CA offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to San Francisco.

The salary gap between Folsom and San Francisco is $2,251 (2.19%). Folsom's median is +62.71% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Folsom spans $87,230,San Francisco spans $64,991. Folsom has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Folsom
P10 (Entry)$75,689
P25$92,023
Median$105,109
P75$132,826
P90 (Top)$162,919
San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$62,951
P25$79,229
Median$102,858
P75$123,317
P90 (Top)$127,942

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Folsom ($92,935 effective) pays 4.46% more than San Francisco ($88,968 effective).

Folsom
Nominal: $105,109
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $92,935
San Francisco
Nominal: $102,858
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $88,968

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Folsom if…

  • Higher median salary ($105,109/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($162,919)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $92,935)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Larger job market (17,860 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Folsom grew 0.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 25.7% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Folsom, CA

+0.4%

$103,708 (2024) → $104,089 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+25.7%

$81,020 (2019) → $101,860 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Folsom or San Francisco?

Folsom has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $105,109/year, compared to San Francisco at $102,858/year — a difference of $2,251 (2.19%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Folsom and San Francisco?

Folsom elementary school teachers earn $50.53/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $49.45/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Folsom to San Francisco as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Folsom and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Folsom = $92,935, San Francisco = $88,968), job availability (17 vs 17,860 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Folsom vs San Francisco?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $75,689 in Folsom and $62,951 in San Francisco. The Folsom 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