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Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education in Santa Cruz, CA have a median annual salary of $99,260, with 1,000 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $62,070 at the 10th percentile to $126,150 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$99,260

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

—

Employment

1,000

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$62,070
10th
$74,270
25th
$99,260
Median
$103,830
75th
$126,150
90th

Local compared with national

Santa Cruz, CA

$99,260

Median annual · 2025

United States

$63,970

Median annual · 2025

The Santa Cruz, CA median is 55.2% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $35,290).

Top skills

  1. 1.Learning StrategiesImportance 4.3
  2. 2.InstructingImportance 4.3
  3. 3.SpeakingImportance 4.1
  4. 4.Active ListeningImportance 4.0
  5. 5.Critical ThinkingImportance 4.0
  6. 6.MonitoringImportance 4.0
  7. 7.Social PerceptivenessImportance 4.0
  8. 8.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.9
  9. 9.WritingImportance 3.9
  10. 10.CoordinationImportance 3.9
  11. 11.Service OrientationImportance 3.9
  12. 12.Active LearningImportance 3.8

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
None
Job zone
4

Technology used

  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft SharePoint
  • Microsoft Word
  • Nearpod
  • Padlet
  • Pear Deck
  • Schoology
  • Screencastify
  • Seesaw
  • Tadpoles
  • Web browser software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Blackboard software
  • Children's educational software

Common tasks

  • Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.
  • Select, store, order, issue, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and supplies.
  • Instruct students individually and in groups, using teaching methods such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
  • Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among the students.
  • Guide and counsel students with adjustment or academic problems or with special academic interests.
  • Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
  • Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
  • Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
  • Read books to entire classes or small groups.
  • Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary in other locations

Other occupations in Santa Cruz, CA