Elementary school teacher pay in San Jose, CA
Elementary school teachers in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn a typical $102,860 a year. The middle half earn $83,030 to $121,840, and the top 10% earn more than $126,980. About 7,810 people do this job there.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (occupation: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, SOC 25-2021).
Pay range
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $64,770 |
| 25th percentile | $83,030 |
| Median (typical) | $102,860 |
| 75th percentile | $121,840 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $126,980 |
Typical pay here ranks No. 3 of 50 large metros for elementary school teachers before taxes and prices.
After taxes and cost of living
At the typical $102,860, a single filer keeps about $75,900 a year after federal, Social Security, Medicare, and California state income tax. Prices in San Jose are 10% above the US average, so that take-home buys what $68,700 would in a typical US city. That ranks San Jose No. 4 of 50 large metros for elementary school teachers after cost of living.
Where elementary school teachers’ pay goes furthest
- Seattle, WA$102,920 typical · worth $73.1k
- Sacramento, CA$103,390 typical · worth $71.4k
- Riverside, CA$98,520 typical · worth $68.8k
- Boston, MA$98,060 typical · worth $67.5k
All 50 metros for elementary school teachers →
Where does your salary land?
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Common questions
How much does a elementary school teacher make in San Jose, CA?
The typical (median) elementary school teacher in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earns $102,860 a year. The middle half earn between $83,030 and $121,840, and the top 10% earn more than $126,980. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
What is a good salary for a elementary school teacher in San Jose?
Anything above $102,860 pays more than half of elementary school teachers in San Jose. $121,840 or more puts you in the top quarter, and $126,980 in the top 10%. Experience and employer move where you should be in that range.
How much does a elementary school teacher in San Jose take home after taxes?
At the typical $102,860, a single filer keeps about $75,900 a year ($6,320 a month) after federal, Social Security, Medicare, California state income tax. With local prices 10% above the US average, that buys what $68,700 would in a typical US city.
Where do elementary school teachers get paid the most after cost of living?
Among the 50 largest US metros, typical elementary school teacher pay goes furthest after taxes and prices in Seattle, WA, Sacramento, CA, Riverside, CA. San Jose, CA ranks No. 4.
More: Elementary school teacher pay in every large metro · Pay for other jobs in San Jose, CA
Local prices: BEA regional price parities, 2024. Updated November 2026.