Elementary School Teacher Salary in San Bernardino, CA: $99,609 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in San Bernardino, CA earns a median $99,609/year (≈ $47.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in San Bernardino's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $88,072 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Elementary school teachers in San Bernardino, California, can expect a median annual salary of $99,609 in 2026, significantly above the national median of $64,597. The full salary range spans from $67,863 at the 10th percentile to a high of $154,393 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parity, reflect the district's step-and-lane scale system. In this structure, teachers with a master's degree or advanced qualifications, such as a master's plus 30 credits, may benefit from higher placements on the salary schedule. San Bernardino's competitive salary offerings position the district as an attractive opportunity for educators, particularly when considering the benefits tied to years of experience and educational attainment.
About the San Bernardino Market
Salary estimated from California average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,863 | $32.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,294 | $43.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,609 | $47.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $127,499 | $61.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $154,393 | $74.23 |
Median Salary Position
54.20% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Bernardino
In San Bernardino, CA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $86,530 (2026 est.). At $99,609, the local median is 54.2% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Bernardino: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Bernardino Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
San Bernardino median: $99,609/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Bernardino Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $100,210 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | +54.20% more |
Elementary School Teachers in San Bernardino, CA earn a median of $99,609 per year (2026 est.), which is 54.20% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 0.60% below the California state average of $100,210.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Bernardino has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Bernardino, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $99,609 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $88,072 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$92,011
2025 BLS Actual
$98,642
2026 Current Est.
$99,609
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in San Bernardino (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $92,011 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,970 | Actual |
| 2021 | $94,679 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,126 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,195 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,306 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,642 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,609 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,585 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Bernardino metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $92,011 (2019) to $98,642 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,585 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,574 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Bernardino 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) | $67,863 – $90,294 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,294 – $99,609 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,609 – $127,499 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $127,499 – $154,393 |
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 San Bernardino
San Bernardino's local job market currently employs 33 elementary school teachers, reflecting a focused yet supportive educational environment. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, teachers should consider how this reality impacts their net earnings and overall purchasing power. Among the local educational employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer the most competitive salaries, especially for teachers specializing in areas identified as shortage areas, such as special education, STEM, and bilingual education, often providing stipends that can enhance overall earnings. The variance in teacher compensation is primarily driven by experience levels, advanced degrees, and participation in additional contractual programs, like summer school and after-school tutoring. To maximize pay in San Bernardino, educators would benefit from pursuing advanced certifications, engaging in professional development opportunities, and being open to positions in harder-to-fill disciplines that might offer additional financial incentives.
More salary data for San Bernardino, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do elementary school teachers make in San Bernardino, CA in 2026?
Is San Bernardino, CA a good place to work as a elementary school teacher?
Can elementary school teachers make $100K in San Bernardino?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted elementary school teacher salary in San Bernardino?
How much does a elementary school teacher make per hour in San Bernardino?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $98,642 for elementary school teachersin the San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino 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