Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Phoenix, AZ vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Phoenix, AZ and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$45,000 vs $65,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$43,689 vs $34,946
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$39,360 vs $29,287
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $45,000 | $65,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,650 | $50,050▲ | -$15,400 |
| 75th Percentile | $57,600 | $83,200▲ | -$25,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $72,000 | $104,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 186 | -83 |
| State Income Tax | 2.5%▲ | 9.3% | -6.800000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $43,689▲ | $34,946 | +$8,743 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $40,541 | $54,474▲ | -$13,933 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $39,360▲ | $29,287 | +$10,073 |
| Total Employment | 62,500 | 130,000 | -67,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Phoenix, AZ minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $20,000 more (median: $45,000 vs $65,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 186), Phoenix, AZ provides better purchasing power ($43,689 vs $34,946 equivalent). Phoenix, AZ has the lower state tax rate (2.5% 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.