Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Los Angeles, CA: $49.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Los Angeles, CA runs $49.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $102,858 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Los Angeles's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.6, 14% above national), each hour of work buys what $43.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,713 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Los Angeles, the projected hourly pay for elementary school teachers stands at $49.45, significantly outpacing the national median hourly rate of $31.06. This higher compensation reflects the city’s cost of living and the competitive nature of the education sector. For those considering part-time positions, such as teaching three days a week, this hourly rate translates into substantial earnings, especially for educators engaged in diverse settings, including K-12 classroom instruction, special education rooms, and after-school tutoring. The hourly pay varies across experience levels, with entry-level educators starting around $30.22, while seasoned professionals can earn up to $62.69. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, shows a robust growth expectation, highlighting Los Angeles as an attractive market for elementary school teachers.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.22 | $241.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.38 | $299.06 |
| Median (P50) | $49.45 | $395.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60.10 | $480.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62.69 | $501.51 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Los Angeles
Based on $49.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.45/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Los Angeles, CA can expect to earn approximately $102,856 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,340. With a cost-of-living index of 113.57 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Los Angeles.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Los Angeles
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,978.00 | $8,571 | $102,856 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,186.80 | $5,143 | $61,713 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $791.20 | $3,429 | $41,142 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Los Angeles) | $49.45 |
| 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 Los Angeles, CA earn a median of $102,858 per year (2026 est.), which is 59.23% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 2.60% above the California state average of $100,252.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.45/hr = $61,713/year (purchasing power: $54,342).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $102,856/year (purchasing power: $90,569).
CoL index: 113.566 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$42.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.45/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+18.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Los Angeles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $44.46/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.79/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.24/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Los Angeles grew 16.1% from $42.16/hr (2019) to $48.97/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.93/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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles
Exploring the earning potential reveals that a part-time elementary school teacher working 24 hours a week would take home significantly less than a full-time teacher, emphasizing a stark income disparity. Per diem elementary school teacher pay in Los Angeles often ranges from $100 to $200 per day for substitutes, with long-term substitutes earning between $140 and $250 daily. For those tutoring independently or through platforms, pay can range from $30 to $80 per hour, sometimes going as high as $200 per hour for specialized SAT or ACT prep. Different employer types, such as public K-12 school districts, charter schools, and private institutions, often offer varying pay scales, with some educators opting for lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits, such as health insurance. Negotiating pay effectively is crucial; teachers should be prepared to leverage their experience, certifications, and market demand to secure the best possible rates in a competitive Los Angeles environment.
More salary data for Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles. 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