Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Portland, OR vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Portland, OR and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$52,000 vs $65,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Portland, OR
$40,000 vs $34,946
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Portland, OR
$33,726 vs $29,287
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $52,000 | $65,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,040 | $50,050▲ | -$10,010 |
| 75th Percentile | $66,560 | $83,200▲ | -$16,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $83,200 | $104,000▲ | -$20,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 186 | -56 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75%▲ | 9.3% | -0.5500000000000007% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $40,000▲ | $34,946 | +$5,054 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $43,844 | $54,474▲ | -$10,630 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $33,726▲ | $29,287 | +$4,439 |
| Total Employment | 50,000 | 130,000 | -80,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $13,000 more (median: $52,000 vs $65,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 186), Portland, OR provides better purchasing power ($40,000 vs $34,946 equivalent). Portland, OR has the lower state tax rate (8.75% 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.