Elementary School Teacher Salary in Santa Rosa, CA: $100,031 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Santa Rosa, CA earns a median $100,031/year (≈ $48.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Santa Rosa's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.8), that paycheck buys what $92,807 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the compensation for an elementary school teacher in Santa Rosa, California, reaches a median annual salary of $100,031, significantly outpacing the national median of $64,597 by 54.85%. Salaries for this role range from $60,719 at the 10th percentile to $120,732 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a broad spectrum of earnings based on experience and other factors. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, presents a compelling picture of the job market. The elevated salary figures reflect not only the qualifications required but also the high cost of living in the Santa Rosa area, which is evidenced by a cost of living index of 107.784, indicating that residents deal with expenses exceeding the national average.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,719 | $29.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,916 | $37.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,031 | $48.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,090 | $50.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,732 | $58.04 |
Median Salary Position
54.85% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Rosa
In Santa Rosa, CA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,013 (2026 est.). At $100,031, the local median is 54.85% above the national median of $64,597.
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At 40 hours/week in Santa Rosa: You'd be above the median
How Santa Rosa Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Santa Rosa median: $100,031/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Rosa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $100,231 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | +54.85% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Santa Rosa, CA earn a median of $100,031 per year (2026 est.), which is 54.85% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 0.20% below the California state average of $100,231.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Rosa has a cost of living 7.78% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Rosa, CA has a cost-of-living index of 107.784 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $100,031 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $92,807 — a 7.22% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,360
2025 BLS Actual
$99,060
2026 Current Est.
$100,031
2019–2027 Growth
+43.6%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Santa Rosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,930 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,520 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,990 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,060 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,031 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,011 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Rosa metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 40.8% from $70,360 (2019) to $99,060 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,011 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,651 (43.56%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Rosa 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) | $60,719 – $78,916 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,916 – $100,031 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,031 – $105,090 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,090 – $120,732 |
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 Santa Rosa
The local job market is robust, with approximately 2,180 elementary school teachers currently employed in Santa Rosa, indicating a healthy demand for educators despite the challenges posed by living expenses. Given the high cost of living, educators seeking to maximize their earnings should consider opportunities within K-12 public school districts, which typically follow a step-and-lane pay scale based on experience and educational attainment. Competitive pay may also be found in charter school networks, particularly those offering additional stipends for specialized roles like special education or STEM. The difference in salary can be influenced by several factors, including advanced degrees, National Board Certification, and participation in extended contracts for summer school or after-school tutoring. To optimize earnings, teachers should actively pursue professional development opportunities and consider positions in shortage areas that offer financial incentives, ensuring their financial viability in a high-cost district like Santa Rosa, CA.
More salary data for Santa Rosa, 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 $99,060 for elementary school teachersin the Santa Rosa 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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