Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Denver, CO vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Denver, CO and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$50,000 vs $65,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$39,063 vs $34,946
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$34,505 vs $29,287
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $50,000 | $65,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,500 | $50,050▲ | -$11,550 |
| 75th Percentile | $64,000 | $83,200▲ | -$19,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $80,000 | $104,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 186 | -58 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4%▲ | 9.3% | -4.9% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $39,063▲ | $34,946 | +$4,117 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $44,167 | $54,474▲ | -$10,307 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $34,505▲ | $29,287 | +$5,218 |
| Total Employment | 70,000 | 130,000 | -60,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $15,000 more (median: $50,000 vs $65,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 186), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($39,063 vs $34,946 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% vs 9.3%).
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.