Elementary School Teacher Salary in Davis, CA: $97,003 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Davis, CA earns a median $97,003/year (≈ $46.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Davis's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $85,767 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Davis, California, offers a competitive elementary school teacher salary landscape, with a projected median annual pay of $97,003 for 2026. This figure significantly surpasses the national median of $64,597, highlighting the high cost of living that influences effective compensation in the region. The salary range for teachers in this area spans from $73,378 at the 10th percentile to $150,355 at the 90th percentile, illustrating considerable variation based on experience and education levels. These 2026 estimates derive from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price differentials, reflecting the substantial investment the community makes in its educators. Given its positioning within California's more affluent districts, Davis's educational sector remains a strong career option for teaching professionals.
About the Davis Market
Salary estimated from California average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,378 | $35.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,348 | $42.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,003 | $46.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $124,164 | $59.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $150,355 | $72.28 |
Median Salary Position
50.17% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Davis
In Davis, CA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $76,977 (2026 est.). At $97,003, the local median is 50.17% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Davis: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Davis Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Davis median: $97,003/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Davis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $100,210 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | +50.17% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Davis, CA earn a median of $97,003 per year (2026 est.), which is 50.17% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 3.20% below the California state average of $100,210.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Davis has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Davis, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $97,003 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $85,767 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$89,605
2025 BLS Actual
$96,062
2026 Current Est.
$97,003
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Davis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,605 | Actual |
| 2020 | $91,512 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,203 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,638 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,627 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,700 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,062 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,003 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,954 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Davis metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $89,605 (2019) to $96,062 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,954 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,349 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Davis 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $73,378 – $87,348 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,348 – $97,003 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,003 – $124,164 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $124,164 – $150,355 |
Teacher salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual elementary school teacher compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Elementary School Teacher Job Market in Davis
Despite the appealing salary framework, the local job market for elementary school teachers in Davis features a modest employment pool, with only 14 teachers currently in the area. The cost of living index stands at 113.1, meaning that while salaries are impressive, take-home pay can be affected by higher living expenses typical of high-cost urban areas. Among the employers in the district, K-12 public school districts generally offer more stable compensation compared to charter networks or private institutions, although factors such as district step-and-lane pay scales, additional stipends for shortage areas like special education or STEM, and contractual opportunities for summer or after-school programs can significantly impact overall earnings. For educators seeking to enhance their compensation in this competitive market, pursuing National Board Certification or advanced degrees can provide pathways to higher salaries, helping professionals maximize their pay while contributing positively to the educational landscape in Davis, CA.
More salary data for Davis, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $96,062 for elementary school teachersin the Davis metropolitan area. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Davis 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