Elementary School Teacher Salary in Redwood City, CA: $98,044 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Redwood City, CA earns a median $98,044/year (≈ $47.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Redwood City's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $86,688 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Redwood City, California, the projected median salary for elementary school teachers in 2026 is set at $98,044, significantly higher than the national median of $64,597, reflecting the area's high cost of living. The salary range for this occupation spans from $75,809 at the 10th percentile to $151,968 at the 90th percentile, indicating both entry-level opportunities and the potential for higher compensation with experience and advanced qualifications. These figures are derived from state-level estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjustments for regional price parities. The competitive pay in Redwood City highlights the district's effort to attract and retain quality educators in a high-cost environment that is characteristic of many areas in California.
About the Redwood City Market
Salary estimated from California average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,809 | $36.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,371 | $42.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,044 | $47.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $125,470 | $60.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $151,968 | $73.06 |
Median Salary Position
51.78% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Redwood City
In Redwood City, CA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $76,159 (2026 est.). At $98,044, the local median is 51.78% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Redwood City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Redwood City Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Redwood City median: $98,044/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Redwood City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $100,249 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | +51.78% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Redwood City, CA earn a median of $98,044 per year (2026 est.), which is 51.78% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 2.20% below the California state average of $100,249.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Redwood City has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Redwood City, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $98,044 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $86,688 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$90,566
2025 BLS Actual
$97,092
2026 Current Est.
$98,044
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Redwood City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,566 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,493 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,191 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,631 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,652 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,779 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,092 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,044 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,004 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Redwood City metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $90,566 (2019) to $97,092 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,004 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,438 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Redwood City 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) | $75,809 – $87,371 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,371 – $98,044 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,044 – $125,470 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $125,470 – $151,968 |
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 Redwood City
Employment for elementary school teachers in Redwood City currently stands at 13, indicating a unique local job market that may offer opportunities for networking among educators. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, teachers need to be mindful of how much they take home each month, as prices for housing and essentials are above the national average. Public K-12 school districts tend to offer structured step-and-lane pay scales, which reward experience and education level, while charter schools like KIPP may compensate differently, possibly providing extra pay for extended hours. Additionally, various stipends for special education, STEM, and advanced degrees could enhance an educator's earnings. For teachers looking to maximize their elementary school teacher pay in Redwood City CA, pursuing National Board Certification or seeking positions in shortage areas, such as bilingual education, can be advantageous strategies in this competitive landscape.
More salary data for Redwood City, 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 $97,092 for elementary school teachersin the Redwood City 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 Redwood City 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