K-12 Teacher Salary in San Diego, CA
K-12 Teacher salaries in San Diego range from $55,100 to $130,500 in 2026. The mid-level median is $83,375, which is 45% above the national average.
Junior (0-2 yrs)
$55,100 – $69,600
Median: $62,350 · per year
Mid-Level (3-5 yrs)
$72,500 – $94,250
Median: $83,375 · per year
Senior (6+ yrs)
$98,600 – $130,500
Median: $114,550 · per year
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5 years
Entry level20+ years
Estimated K-12 Teacher Salary in San Diego, CA
Estimated†$85,550–$112,375/year
Median: $98,963 per year (adjusted for San Diego cost of living)
Junior
$62,350
0-2 yrs
Mid-Level
$83,375
3-5 yrs
Senior
$114,550
6+ yrs
Cost of Living in San Diego
Cost of Living Levelvery high
Population1.4M
Top IndustriesBiotechnology, Defense & Military, Telecommunications
vs National Average+45%
Top Employers in San Diego
QualcommIlluminaNorthrop GrummanUC San Diego HealthGeneral Atomics
How San Diego Compares
| City | Mid-Level Median | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CA | $83,375 | very high |
| New York, NY | $83,375 | very high |
| Los Angeles, CA | $83,375 | very high |
| Chicago, IL | $69,000 | high |
| Houston, TX | $57,500 | moderate |
| Phoenix, AZ | $57,500 | moderate |