Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Fullerton, CA: $49.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Fullerton, CA runs $49.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $102,964 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Fullerton's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $43.77 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,776 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Elementary school teachers in Fullerton, California, receive a median hourly pay of $49.50, which sharply exceeds the national median of $31.06. This higher rate reflects the cost of living in the area and the competitive nature of the educational profession in Fullerton. For educators working part-time, typically three days a week, this hourly wage allows for robust earnings while balancing their schedules. In typical settings such as K-12 classrooms, special education, tutoring, and professional development training environments, hourly rates can range widely — from $35.75 for entry-level positions to as high as $76.72 for top earners. Such rates are essential for understanding compensation in roles that may not conform to traditional full-time hours, especially in a state with a significant demand for quality education.
About the Fullerton 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) | $35.75 | $285.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.52 | $348.18 |
| Median (P50) | $49.50 | $396.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.36 | $506.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76.72 | $613.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fullerton
Based on $49.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.50/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fullerton, CA can expect to earn approximately $102,961 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,400. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Fullerton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fullerton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,980.02 | $8,580 | $102,961 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,188.01 | $5,148 | $61,776 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $792.01 | $3,432 | $41,184 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Fullerton) | $49.50 |
| 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 Fullerton, CA earn a median of $102,964 per year (2026 est.), which is 59.39% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 2.70% above the California state average of $100,257.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.50/hr = $61,776/year (purchasing power: $54,621).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $102,961/year (purchasing power: $91,035).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$45.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.02/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Fullerton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45.72/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.70/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.27/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $51.39/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.02/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Fullerton grew 7.2% from $45.72/hr (2019) to $49.02/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.99/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 Fullerton 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 Fullerton
When considering part-time employment, an elementary school teacher working three days a week at 24 hours might expect an annual take-home significantly less than their full-time counterparts, but still substantial given the local rates. Per diem elementary school teacher pay in Fullerton varies, with substitute positions averaging $100 to $200 per day, and long-term substitutes often making $140 to $250 per day. Tutoring opportunities through platforms can yield between $30 and $80 per hour. Teachers in Fullerton can also choose from a range of employment structures, such as public and charter schools, each offering varying hourly rates. Traditional public school employment may come with added benefits, which can be a decisive factor for many educators when weighing higher hourly rates against job security and health insurance. Negotiation skills become crucial in these discussions, particularly in a high-cost state like California, where understanding the complete compensation package can impact long-term career satisfaction.
More salary data for Fullerton, 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 Fullerton. 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 Fullerton 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