Elementary School Teacher Salary in Garden Grove, CA: $102,503 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Garden Grove, CA earns a median $102,503/year (≈ $49.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Garden Grove's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $90,630 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Garden Grove's elementary school teacher salary in 2026 is projected at $102,503 annually, which significantly surpasses the national median of $64,597. This competitive pay is reflective of the area's emphasis on attracting qualified educators, particularly in shortage areas such as special education and STEM. Teacher salaries in Garden Grove typically range from $73,290 at the 10th percentile to $158,879 at the 90th percentile, based on estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments. With the cost of living index measuring 113.1, it’s clear that the city offers an appealing compensation package designed to support teachers' financial viability while addressing critical hiring needs in schools.
About the Garden Grove Market
Salary estimated from California average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,290 | $35.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,559 | $43.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,503 | $49.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $131,203 | $63.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $158,879 | $76.38 |
Median Salary Position
58.68% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Garden Grove
In Garden Grove, CA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $85,589 (2026 est.). At $102,503, the local median is 58.68% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Garden Grove: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Garden Grove Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Garden Grove median: $102,503/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Garden Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $100,198 | +2.30% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | +58.68% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Garden Grove, CA earn a median of $102,503 per year (2026 est.), which is 58.68% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 2.30% above the California state average of $100,198.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Garden Grove has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Garden Grove, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $102,503 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $90,630 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$94,685
2025 BLS Actual
$101,508
2026 Current Est.
$102,503
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Garden Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $94,685 | Actual |
| 2020 | $96,700 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,430 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,890 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,048 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,408 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,508 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,503 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,507 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Garden Grove metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $94,685 (2019) to $101,508 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,507 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,822 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Garden Grove 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) | $73,290 – $89,559 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,559 – $102,503 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,503 – $131,203 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $131,203 – $158,879 |
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 Garden Grove
The local job market for elementary school teachers in Garden Grove is relatively robust, with approximately 37 educators currently employed in this capacity. Despite a cost of living that is higher than average, the potential for substantial take-home pay exists, especially for those who navigate the existing step-and-lane pay scale effectively. Schools within various sectors—public, charter, and private—offer differing levels of compensation, with K-12 public school districts often providing the most competitive salaries. To boost earnings, teachers can aim for positions in shortage disciplines which typically include stipends ranging from 5-15%. Additional contracts for summer school, after-school tutoring, and attaining advanced degrees or certifications can further elevate earnings. Understanding these dynamics can be key for educators exploring how much do elementary school teachers make in Garden Grove and how to maximize their pay in this particular market.
More salary data for Garden Grove, 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 $101,508 for elementary school teachersin the Garden Grove 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 Garden Grove 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