California Teachers Average $103,552, Highest in Nation

State policy also plays a role. Education Code 41372, in place since the 1970s, requires school districts to spend 50% to 60% of expenses on teacher salaries, depending on grade level. Many districts obtain waivers from county superintendents, GV Wire reported, and some superintendents argue the law is outdated.

California teachers have collective bargaining rights under the Rodda Act and can strike after unions complete impasse procedures, the California Teachers Association said. The Thomas B. Fordham Institute ranked California's teacher unions second strongest in the country, behind only Vermont.

Another state law forces school districts to disclose average teacher salaries publicly, boosting transparency, according to Education Resource Strategies.

High pay does not translate to top student outcomes. US News & World Report ranked California 24th overall for education and 38th for pre-K-12 in 2025. WalletHub placed the state 29th in its 2026 most-educated ranking, though quality of education ranked seventh, driven by universities. California's high school graduation rate of 87.5% tied for 26th with North Carolina. Eighth graders scored 269 out of 500 on the 2024 NAEP math test, below the national average of 272.