Elementary School Teacher Salary in Irvine, CA: $104,120 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Irvine, CA earns a median $104,120/year (≈ $50.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Irvine's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $92,060 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, elementary school teachers in Irvine, California, can expect a median annual salary of $104,120, reflecting a significant 61.18% premium over the national median of $64,597. Salaries range from $76,572 at the 10th percentile to as much as $161,387 at the 90th percentile. Factors driving this high compensation include local adjustments for cost of living, with Irvine's index at 113.1, and stipends for those teaching in shortage areas such as special education, STEM, and bilingual education. These additional compensation elements can enhance base pay significantly, making the role financially attractive in a competitive market.
About the Irvine Market
Salary estimated from California average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,572 | $36.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,931 | $44.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,120 | $50.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $133,274 | $64.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $161,387 | $77.59 |
Median Salary Position
61.18% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Irvine
In Irvine, CA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $84,815 (2026 est.). At $104,120, the local median is 61.18% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Irvine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Irvine Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Irvine median: $104,120/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Irvine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $100,212 | +3.90% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | +61.18% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Irvine, CA earn a median of $104,120 per year (2026 est.), which is 61.18% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 3.90% above the California state average of $100,212.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Irvine has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Irvine, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $104,120 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $92,060 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$96,179
2025 BLS Actual
$103,110
2026 Current Est.
$104,120
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Irvine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,179 | Actual |
| 2020 | $98,226 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,968 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,435 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,643 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,088 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,110 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,120 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,141 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Irvine metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $96,179 (2019) to $103,110 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,141 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,962 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Irvine 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) | $76,572 – $92,931 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,931 – $104,120 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,120 – $133,274 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $133,274 – $161,387 |
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 Irvine
The local job market for elementary school teachers in Irvine is robust, with approximately 72 educators currently employed in this area. However, the higher cost of living impacts take-home pay, emphasizing the importance of understanding local dynamics. Key employers include various K-12 public school districts, charter school networks like KIPP, and private institutions, with pay reflecting a district's step-and-lane scale based on experience and education. Additionally, pay disparities arise from factors such as shortage area stipends and opportunities for advanced degree compensation. For those considering a career in this field, maximizing earning potential may involve pursuing National Board Certification or aligning with schools that offer summer school contracts, extended year positions, and after-school programs. Understanding these elements can greatly influence how much elementary school teachers make in Irvine, CA.
More salary data for Irvine, 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 $103,110 for elementary school teachersin the Irvine 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 Irvine 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