Teacher Salary

Newport Beach vs San Francisco: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

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

Newport Beach, CA
$98,052
$47.14/hr
San Francisco, CA
$102,858
$49.45/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNewport Beach, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$98,052$102,858
Hourly Rate$47.14$49.45
Entry Level (P10)$75,928$62,951
25th Percentile$89,534$79,229
75th Percentile$125,451$123,317
Top Earner (P90)$151,980$127,942
Total Employed1217,860
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Newport Beach ($98,052) and San Francisco ($102,858) elementary school teacher salaries.Newport BeachSan FranciscoMedian Salary$98,052$102,858Entry Level (P10)$75,928$62,951Top Earner (P90)$151,980$127,942US Median $64,597

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Newport Beach and San Francisco is $4,806 (4.90%). San Francisco'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 Newport Beach spans $76,052,San Francisco spans $64,991. Newport Beach has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Newport Beach
P10 (Entry)$75,928
P25$89,534
Median$98,052
P75$125,451
P90 (Top)$151,980
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, San Francisco ($88,968 effective) pays 2.62% more than Newport Beach ($86,695 effective).

Newport Beach
Nominal: $98,052
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $86,695
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 Newport Beach if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($151,980)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($102,858/year)
  • Larger job market (17,860 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $88,968)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Newport Beach grew -4.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 25.7% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Newport Beach, CA

+-4.6%

$101,788 (2024) → $97,100 (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: Newport Beach or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $102,858/year, compared to Newport Beach at $98,052/year — a difference of $4,806 (4.90%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Newport Beach and San Francisco?

Newport Beach elementary school teachers earn $47.14/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $49.45/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Newport Beach and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Newport Beach = $86,695, San Francisco = $88,968), job availability (12 vs 17,860 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $75,928 in Newport Beach and $62,951 in San Francisco. The Newport Beach 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