Elementary School Teacher Salary in Upland, CA: $96,933 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Upland, CA earns a median $96,933/year (≈ $46.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Upland's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $85,706 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for elementary school teachers in Upland, California is projected at $96,933, significantly higher than the national median of $64,597, reflecting a disparity of over 50%. Salaries range from $72,915 at the 10th percentile to $150,246 at the 90th percentile, indicating a robust earning potential for educators depending on experience and qualifications. With Upland's competitive pay scale, teachers holding a master’s degree or advanced certification may find themselves positioned favorably within the district’s step-and-lane structure. In this market, financial rewards are not just tied to tenure but also to the educational attainment of the individual educators, offering a strategic advantage for those who pursue further qualifications.
About the Upland Market
Salary estimated from California average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,915 | $35.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,200 | $41.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $96,933 | $46.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $124,074 | $59.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $150,246 | $72.23 |
Median Salary Position
50.06% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Upland
In Upland, CA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $77,331 (2026 est.). At $96,933, the local median is 50.06% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Upland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Upland Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Upland median: $96,933/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Upland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $100,241 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | +50.06% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Upland, CA earn a median of $96,933 per year (2026 est.), which is 50.06% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 3.30% below the California state average of $100,241.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Upland has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Upland, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $96,933 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $85,706 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$89,540
2025 BLS Actual
$95,992
2026 Current Est.
$96,933
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Upland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,540 | Actual |
| 2020 | $91,445 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,136 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,571 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,557 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,626 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,992 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,933 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,883 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Upland metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $89,540 (2019) to $95,992 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,883 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,343 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Upland 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) | $72,915 – $87,200 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,200 – $96,933 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $96,933 – $124,074 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $124,074 – $150,246 |
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 Upland
The local job market in Upland, which employs 18 elementary school teachers, illustrates a stable demand for educators in the region. However, the cost of living index of 113.1 suggests that while salaries may be higher than the national average, the purchasing power may be somewhat constrained, prompting teachers to consider strategic options for maximizing their earnings. Among potential employers, charter school networks often offer competitive salaries, particularly for schools that focus on STEM and special education, attracting funds due to the shortage of qualified educators in these areas. The spread between the lower and higher salaries can often be attributed to a variety of factors including recruitment incentives for hard-to-fill positions, summer school contracts, and additional stipends for coaching or tutoring. To enhance potential earnings, educators may focus on obtaining advanced certifications like National Board Certification or choose to teach in specialized areas that qualify for stipends, thus taking full advantage of the opportunities available in Upland, CA.
More salary data for Upland, 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 $95,992 for elementary school teachersin the Upland 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 Upland 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