How much do English teachers make in San Diego?
Michael Gray
Updated on March 30, 2026
While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $70,010 and as low as $13,797, the majority of English Teacher salaries currently range between $27,083 (25th percentile) to $45,991 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $56,211 annually in San Diego.
Does California need English teachers?
As of late 2014, there is a shortage of qualified English teachers in the state. Coupled with the fact that there are scores of teacher retirements looming, the prospects for a job as an English teacher in California are very good.
How much do English teachers make in California?
High School English Teacher Salary in California
| Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| Top Earners | $58,494 | $28 |
| 75th Percentile | $50,138 | $24 |
| Average | $41,226 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,849 | $18 |
Where is there a high demand for English teachers?
9 countries looking for English teachers
- Brazil. Brazil is one of the countries in high demand for English teachers due to a boom in business, trade, and tourism.
- Cambodia. ESL teaching positions in Cambodia’s job market are growing quickly.
- China.
- Colombia.
- Mexico.
- Morocco.
- Russia.
- South Korea.
What is the highest paying school district in San Diego?
San Dieguito Union High
San Dieguito Union High had the highest salaries in the county — it was the only district with a starting teacher salary of more than $60,000 and an average teacher salary exceeding $100,000.
What is the cost of living in San Diego?
San Diego cost of living is 160.1
| COST OF LIVING | San Diego | California |
|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 109.7 | 105.1 |
| Health | 89 | 92.4 |
| Housing | 279.1 | 239.1 |
| Median Home Cost | $812,100 | $684,800 |
Are ESL teachers in demand in California?
There’s so much demand, in fact, that ESL is one of the fastest-growing programs in community colleges and other adult education programs.
How long does it take to become an English teacher in California?
Overview of Teaching English in California
| Education/Experience Required | Bachelor’s degree; teacher preparation program approved by the state |
|---|---|
| Certification Validity Period | Initial certification valid for five years; then a clear credential must be obtained through the state |
Is it difficult to get a TEFL job?
How hard is it to get a TEFL job? Landing your first TEFL job is the hardest. Once you’ve got a year or more of teaching experience under your belt, things become easier. And demand for learning English means a constant supply of English teaching opportunities, including plenty for newly qualified TEFL teachers.