Elementary School Teacher Salary in San Rafael, CA: $101,695 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in San Rafael, CA earns a median $101,695/year (≈ $48.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in San Rafael's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $89,916 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In San Rafael, CA, elementary school teachers earn a median annual salary of $101,695 for 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $64,597. This competitive salary reflects the local demand for educators, particularly in critical shortage areas such as special education, STEM, and bilingual education, where additional stipends can enhance base pay by 5-15%. The full salary range for elementary school teachers in the region spans from $76,484 at the 10th percentile to $157,627 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from state-level BLS data and adjusted for regional economic conditions, highlight the strength of San Rafael’s educational job market and the potential for educators to secure favorable compensation, especially when taking advantage of various pay-enhancing opportunities available in the area.
About the San Rafael Market
Salary estimated from California average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,484 | $36.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,240 | $43.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,695 | $48.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $128,531 | $61.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $157,627 | $75.79 |
Median Salary Position
57.43% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Rafael
In San Rafael, CA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $81,143 (2026 est.). At $101,695, the local median is 57.43% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Rafael: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Rafael Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
San Rafael median: $101,695/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Rafael Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $100,192 | +1.50% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | +57.43% more |
Elementary School Teachers in San Rafael, CA earn a median of $101,695 per year (2026 est.), which is 57.43% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 1.50% above the California state average of $100,192.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Rafael has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Rafael, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $101,695 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $89,916 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$93,939
2025 BLS Actual
$100,708
2026 Current Est.
$101,695
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in San Rafael (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $93,939 | Actual |
| 2020 | $95,938 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,662 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,119 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,251 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,570 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,708 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,695 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,692 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Rafael metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $93,939 (2019) to $100,708 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,692 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,753 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Rafael 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) | $76,484 – $91,240 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,240 – $101,695 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,695 – $128,531 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $128,531 – $157,627 |
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 Rafael
The current job market in San Rafael shows a stable employment landscape, with 11 elementary school teachers currently employed, indicating a tight-knit community of educators. However, the higher cost-of-living index of 113.1 presents challenges for take-home pay, emphasizing the importance of strategic compensation negotiations. Among the local employers, K-12 public school districts generally offer the most attractive salaries, but charter schools like KIPP may provide competitive packages depending on specific roles. Additionally, factors influencing pay disparities include the step-and-lane pay structure based on experience and education level, agricultural teaching stipends, and various bonuses for summer school and after-school programs. For those looking to maximize their earnings in San Rafael, pursuing further educational qualifications and certifying with the National Board can open doors to higher pay scales and additional stipends, thus enhancing their overall financial outlook in this high-cost area.
More salary data for San Rafael, 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 $100,708 for elementary school teachersin the San Rafael 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 Rafael 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