SOC 25-2052 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School — San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA · 10 metro areas compared
In San Luis Obispo, CA the median wage for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School reaches $97,260 a year.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In San Luis Obispo, CA the median wage for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School reaches $97,260 a year. That is 49.4% more than the national median of $65,120. Pay ranges from under $61,640 at the tenth percentile to more than $117,650 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $77,160 to $105,480.
The area has 130 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.65 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, San Francisco records the highest median at $105,290. Of the 361 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 85th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $61,640 | −5.3% |
| 25th | $77,160 | +18.5% |
| Median (50th) | $97,260 | +49.4% |
| 75th | $105,480 | +62.0% |
| 90th | $117,650 | +80.7% |
| Mean | $90,510 | +39.0% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $105,290 | 3,440 | |
| 2 | Oxnard | $104,810 | 490 | |
| 3 | El Centro | $99,020 | 180 | |
| 4 | Santa Maria | $98,940 | 300 | |
| 5 | San Jose | $98,640 | 790 | |
| 6 | Sacramento | $98,330 | 1,700 | |
| 7 | Vallejo | $98,260 | 210 | |
| 8 | San Diego | $97,860 | 1,970 | |
| 9 | Merced | $97,340 | 160 | |
| 10 | Los Angeles | $96,970 | 6,410 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in San Luis Obispo run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $97,260 buys what $87,859 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 34.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$97,260as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$87,859US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $97,260 a year, 49.4% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $61,640 to $117,650 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 130 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Francisco, at $105,290.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in San Luis Obispo, CA?
The median annual wage is $97,260, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $65,120, so pay in San Luis Obispo, CA is 49.4% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in San Luis Obispo, CA earns more than $117,650 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $61,640 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in San Francisco, at $105,290 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 130 jobs in this occupation in San Luis Obispo, CA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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