State comparison · 2025
Elementary School Teachers salary: California vs South Dakota
Elementary School Teachers in California earn a median of $99,650. In South Dakota, $50,130. After cost-of-living, the gap is 59.1% — not 98.8%.
Nominal pay gap
+98.8%
California vs South Dakota
COL-adjusted gap
+59.1%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
California
Elementary School Teachers
- Median
- $99,650
- p25
- $77,140
- p75
- $119,970
- p10
- $61,940
- p90
- $127,070
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 110.7
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -35%
South Dakota
Elementary School Teachers
- Median
- $50,130
- p25
- $48,000
- p75
- $58,030
- p10
- $47,120
- p90
- $60,180
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 88.6
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -12%
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.