Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Los Angeles, CA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$56,000 vs $65,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$32,370 vs $34,946
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Francisco, CA
$27,128 vs $29,287
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $56,000 | $65,000▲ | -$9,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $43,120 | $50,050▲ | -$6,930 |
| 75th Percentile | $71,680 | $83,200▲ | -$11,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $89,600 | $104,000▲ | -$14,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 186 | -13 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3%▲ | 9.3% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $32,370 | $34,946▲ | -$2,576 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $46,932 | $54,474▲ | -$7,542 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $27,128 | $29,287▲ | -$2,159 |
| Total Employment | 120,000 | 130,000 | -10,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $9,000 more (median: $56,000 vs $65,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 186), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($32,370 vs $34,946 equivalent). San Francisco, CA has the lower state tax rate (9.3% 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.