Elementary School Teacher Salary in Riverside, CA: $99,485 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Riverside, CA earns a median $99,485/year (≈ $47.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Riverside's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 106.4), that paycheck buys what $93,464 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the elementary school teacher salary in Riverside, California, is projected to reach a median of $99,485, significantly higher than the national average of $64,597. With a range extending from $62,941 at the 10th percentile to $132,132 at the 90th percentile, Riverside's salaries reflect the regional demand for skilled educators. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, indicating a competitive pay structure for teachers in the region. Notably, specialized roles in areas like special education, STEM, and bilingual education often receive additional stipends, enhancing base compensation and attracting a diverse talent pool amidst the ongoing challenges of workforce shortages in these fields.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,941 | $30.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,774 | $37.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,485 | $47.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $126,902 | $61.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $132,132 | $63.53 |
Median Salary Position
54.01% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Riverside
In Riverside, CA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,191 (2026 est.). At $99,485, the local median is 54.01% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Riverside: You'd be above the median
How Riverside Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Riverside median: $99,485/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Riverside Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $100,187 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | +54.01% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Riverside, CA earn a median of $99,485 per year (2026 est.), which is 54.01% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 0.70% below the California state average of $100,187.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Riverside has a cost of living 6.44% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Riverside, CA has a cost-of-living index of 106.442 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $99,485 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $93,464 — a 6.05% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$91,230
2025 BLS Actual
$98,520
2026 Current Est.
$99,485
2019–2027 Growth
+10.1%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Riverside (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,730 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,160 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,485 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,460 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Riverside metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 8.0% from $91,230 (2019) to $98,520 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,460 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,230 (10.12%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Riverside 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) | $62,941 – $78,774 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,774 – $99,485 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,485 – $126,902 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $126,902 – $132,132 |
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 Riverside
The local job market for elementary school teachers is robust, with approximately 18,850 positions filled across Riverside. However, the cost of living index stands at 106.442, indicating that expenses in Riverside are slightly higher than the national average. This means that while salaries appear generous, take-home purchasing power can be moderated by local housing and living costs. Employers such as K-12 public school districts typically offer structured compensation based on a step-and-lane scale, while some charter schools and private institutions might provide unique pay incentives or additional opportunities for stipends. To maximize earnings, educators should consider pursuing advanced degrees or National Board Certification, which can open doors to higher pay brackets. Additionally, taking advantage of available shortage area stipends or engaging in summer and after-school programs could significantly benefit their total compensation package in this thriving Riverside educational environment.
More salary data for Riverside, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do elementary school teachers make in Riverside, CA in 2026?
Is Riverside, CA a good place to work as a elementary school teacher?
Can elementary school teachers make $100K in Riverside?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted elementary school teacher salary in Riverside?
How much does a elementary school teacher make per hour in Riverside?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $98,520 for elementary school teachersin the Riverside 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