Elementary School Teacher Salary in Tulare, CA: $101,267 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Tulare, CA earns a median $101,267/year (≈ $48.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Tulare's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $89,538 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median annual salary of $101,267 projected for 2026, the compensation for elementary school teachers in Tulare, CA, reflects a competitive salary compared to the national median of $64,597. The salary range spans from $75,462 at the 10th percentile to $156,963 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a significant variation that accounts for factors like experience and educational attainment. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, take into account regional cost adjustments, positioning Tulare as an attractive option for educators, especially when considering the step-and-lane pay structure that benefits those with advanced degrees or additional certifications.
About the Tulare Market
Salary estimated from California average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,462 | $36.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,332 | $43.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,267 | $48.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $127,504 | $61.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $156,963 | $75.46 |
Median Salary Position
56.77% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tulare
In Tulare, CA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $81,501 (2026 est.). At $101,267, the local median is 56.77% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tulare: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tulare Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Tulare median: $101,267/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tulare Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $100,264 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | +56.77% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Tulare, CA earn a median of $101,267 per year (2026 est.), which is 56.77% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 1.00% above the California state average of $100,264.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tulare has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tulare, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $101,267 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $89,538 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$93,543
2025 BLS Actual
$100,284
2026 Current Est.
$101,267
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Tulare (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $93,543 | Actual |
| 2020 | $95,534 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,255 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,829 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,125 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,284 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,267 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,259 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tulare metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $93,543 (2019) to $100,284 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,259 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,716 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tulare 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) | $75,462 – $90,332 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,332 – $101,267 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,267 – $127,504 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $127,504 – $156,963 |
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 Tulare
The local job market has about 17 elementary school teachers employed in Tulare, indicating a stable demand for educators in the area. However, with a cost-of-living index of 113.1, teachers should be mindful of how their earnings translate into purchasing power. Employers within the K-12 public school system typically offer the most competitive salaries, with charter networks like KIPP potentially providing premium pay in exchange for longer hours. Factors driving variability in salaries include the district's step-and-lane pay scale, stipends for hard-to-fill positions in special education and STEM, and additional compensation for after-school tutoring or coaching. For teachers looking to maximize their earnings, securing National Board Certification or pursuing advanced degrees would be strategic moves within the Tulare market, allowing them to command higher salaries over time.
More salary data for Tulare, 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 $100,284 for elementary school teachersin the Tulare 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 Tulare 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