Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in El Centro, CA: $48.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in El Centro, CA runs $48.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,374 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against El Centro's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.2, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $51.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,819 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In El Centro, California, the elementary school teacher hourly pay stands at an impressive $48.73, significantly surpassing the national median of $31.06. This hourly rate indicates strong earning potential for both part-time educators and those working on a per-diem basis. Teachers in K-12 settings, including public schools, charter schools, and private institutions, can expect to earn between $29.52 and $65.82 per hour, depending on their experience and qualifications. With a solid workforce of about 860 elementary teachers in the area, the pay structure reflects the growing demand for quality educators, especially in diverse teaching environments such as special education, science labs, and after-school programs.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.52 | $236.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.37 | $306.98 |
| Median (P50) | $48.73 | $389.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.90 | $495.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.82 | $526.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in El Centro
Based on $48.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.73/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in El Centro, CA can expect to earn approximately $101,365 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,480. With a cost-of-living index of 95.17 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in El Centro.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in El Centro
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,949.32 | $8,447 | $101,365 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,169.59 | $5,068 | $60,819 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $779.73 | $3,379 | $40,546 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (El Centro) | $48.73 |
| 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 El Centro, CA earn a median of $101,374 per year (2026 est.), which is 56.93% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 1.10% above the California state average of $100,271.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.73/hr = $60,819/year (purchasing power: $63,903).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,365/year (purchasing power: $106,504).
CoL index: 95.174 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$43.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.26/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+13.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in El Centro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.35/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $51.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.26/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in El Centro grew 11.2% from $43.42/hr (2019) to $48.26/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.21/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 El Centro 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 El Centro
While full-time teachers benefit from a steady income, the part-time scenario tells a different story. A part-time elementary school teacher working three days a week, totaling roughly 24 hours, can expect a substantial annual income—well above what many part-time positions provide. For per diem teachers, daily rates can vary greatly; while substitutes typically earn between $100 and $200 per day, long-term substitutes may see earnings climb to $140-$250. Furthermore, online platforms for tutoring can yield rates of $30-$80 per hour, depending on the subject and market demand. Within El Centro, the educational landscape varies among K-12 public districts, charter school networks, and private institutions, resulting in diverse compensation structures. Some teachers may prioritize health benefits over higher hourly wages, a trade-off they find worthwhile. For negotiation, understanding local demand, leveraging certifications like National Board Certification, and knowing the distinct employer policies can provide a significant advantage in securing desirable contracts.
More salary data for El Centro, 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 El Centro. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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