Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Buena Park, CA: $48.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Buena Park, CA runs $48.80 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,505 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Buena Park's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $43.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,907 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Buena Park, California, the projected hourly rate for elementary school teachers stands at $48.80, which is significantly higher than the national median of $31.06. This elevated pay can positively impact part-time workers, who may teach three days a week in settings such as K-12 classrooms, special education environments, and after-school programs. For these educators, the income potential can be substantial; even at part-time hours, the hourly rate allows for a reasonable livelihood. The hourly pay for this profession varies widely from those just entering the field, earning around $36.61, to more experienced teachers commanding up to $75.64. These figures are drawn from annual salary data, showcasing the financial landscape for educators in the Buena Park area.
About the Buena Park Market
Salary estimated from California average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.61 | $292.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.67 | $349.39 |
| Median (P50) | $48.80 | $390.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.55 | $492.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75.64 | $605.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Buena Park
Based on $48.80/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.80/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Buena Park, CA can expect to earn approximately $101,512 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,564. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Buena Park.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Buena Park
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,952.15 | $8,459 | $101,512 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,171.29 | $5,076 | $60,907 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $780.86 | $3,384 | $40,605 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Buena Park) | $48.80 |
| Middle School Teacher (National Avg) | $32.16 |
| High School Teacher (National Avg) | $33.55 |
| Preschool Teacher (National Avg) | $18.53 |
| Special Education Teacher (National Avg) | $32.74 |
Elementary School Teachers in Buena Park, CA earn a median of $101,505 per year (2026 est.), which is 57.14% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 1.30% above the California state average of $100,202.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.80/hr = $60,907/year (purchasing power: $53,852).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,512/year (purchasing power: $89,754).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$45.08/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.80/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Buena Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45.08/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.04/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $50.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.80/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Buena Park grew 7.2% from $45.08/hr (2019) to $48.33/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.28/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem elementary school teachers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buena Park metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 0.98% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Elementary School Teacher in Buena Park
When analyzing part-time earnings, a teacher working three days a week (24 hours total) can expect to earn around $51,129 annually, a notable figure in light of full-time salaries. Per diem elementary school teacher pay in Buena Park can range from $100 to $200 per day for substitutes, with long-term substitutes earning between $140 and $250 daily. Additionally, tutoring opportunities through platforms like Wyzant or Varsity Tutors can pay between $30 and $80 per hour, while private test prep can command higher rates, reflecting the HCOL environment. In Buena Park, pay scales differ significantly across employer types, affecting hourly earnings. Teachers might find that positions in charter schools or private institutions can offer lower hourly rates but include benefits like health insurance. This trade-off is essential in salary negotiations, where understanding the value of benefits against hourly pay can be impactful for educators choosing between public and private positions.
More salary data for Buena Park, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for elementary school teachers in Buena Park. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Buena Park is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.98%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for elementary school teachers (SOC 25-2021).
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