Teacher Salary

Fremont vs Riverside: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

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

Fremont, CA
$102,878
$49.46/hr
Riverside, CA
$99,485
$47.83/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFremont, CARiverside, CA
Median Salary$102,878$99,485
Hourly Rate$49.46$47.83
Entry Level (P10)$69,928$62,941
25th Percentile$93,133$78,774
75th Percentile$131,684$126,902
Top Earner (P90)$159,462$132,132
Total Employed4318,850
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fremont ($102,878) and Riverside ($99,485) elementary school teacher salaries.FremontRiversideMedian Salary$102,878$99,485Entry Level (P10)$69,928$62,941Top Earner (P90)$159,462$132,132US Median $64,597

Verdict

Fremont, CA offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Riverside.

The salary gap between Fremont and Riverside is $3,393 (3.41%). Fremont's median is +59.26% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fremont spans $89,534,Riverside spans $69,191. Fremont has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fremont
P10 (Entry)$69,928
P25$93,133
Median$102,878
P75$131,684
P90 (Top)$159,462
Riverside
P10 (Entry)$62,941
P25$78,774
Median$99,485
P75$126,902
P90 (Top)$132,132

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Riverside ($93,464 effective) pays 2.75% more than Fremont ($90,962 effective).

Fremont
Nominal: $102,878
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $90,962
Riverside
Nominal: $99,485
CoL Index: 106.442
Adjusted: $93,464

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fremont if…

  • Higher median salary ($102,878/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($159,462)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Riverside if…

  • Larger job market (18,850 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $93,464)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Fremont grew -5.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 8.0% growth in Riverside over the same period.

Fremont, CA

+-5.0%

$107,195 (2024) → $101,880 (2025)

Riverside, CA

+8.0%

$91,230 (2019) → $98,520 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Fremont or Riverside?

Fremont has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $102,878/year, compared to Riverside at $99,485/year — a difference of $3,393 (3.41%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fremont and Riverside?

Fremont elementary school teachers earn $49.46/hr while Riverside hygienists earn $47.83/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fremont to Riverside as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fremont and Riverside. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fremont = $90,962, Riverside = $93,464), job availability (43 vs 18,850 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Fremont vs Riverside?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $69,928 in Fremont and $62,941 in Riverside. The Fremont 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