Best cities for a lead teacher
The best cities for lead teachers are Riverside, CA, Anaheim, CA, and Wichita, KS, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for lead teachers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for lead teachers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a lead teacher or considering a move, this list of the best cities for lead teachers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for lead teachers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a lead teacher. While the absolute best city for lead teachers is Riverside, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for lead teachers in 2024.
If you're looking for a lead teacher job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for lead teachers in 2025
1. Riverside, CA
Lead teacher jobs in RiversideTotal lead teacher jobs: 13 Average annual salary: $49,563 Lowest 10 percent warn: $32,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $75,000 Location quotient: 2.78 2. Anaheim, CA
Lead teacher jobs in AnaheimTotal lead teacher jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $49,911 Lowest 10 percent warn: $32,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $75,000 Location quotient: 1.26 3. Wichita, KS
Lead teacher jobs in WichitaTotal lead teacher jobs: 14 Average annual salary: $34,139 Lowest 10 percent warn: $23,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $49,000 Location quotient: 2.11 4. San Francisco, CA
Lead teacher jobs in San FranciscoTotal lead teacher jobs: 46 Average annual salary: $51,695 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $79,000 Location quotient: 0.59 5. Gilbert, AZ
Lead teacher jobs in GilbertTotal lead teacher jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $35,602 Lowest 10 percent warn: $23,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $53,000 Location quotient: 1.59 6. Mesa, AZ
Lead teacher jobs in MesaTotal lead teacher jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $35,574 Lowest 10 percent warn: $23,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $53,000 Location quotient: 1.36 7. Irvine, CA
Lead teacher jobs in IrvineTotal lead teacher jobs: 15 Average annual salary: $49,770 Lowest 10 percent warn: $32,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $75,000 Location quotient: 0.70 8. Albuquerque, NM
Lead teacher jobs in AlbuquerqueTotal lead teacher jobs: 12 Average annual salary: $37,294 Lowest 10 percent warn: $24,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $56,000 Location quotient: 1.15 9. Chandler, AZ
Lead teacher jobs in ChandlerTotal lead teacher jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $35,652 Lowest 10 percent warn: $23,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $54,000 Location quotient: 0.90 10. El Paso, TX
Total lead teacher jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $35,094 Lowest 10 percent warn: $22,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $53,000 Location quotient: 1.12
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Best cities for lead teachers
- Riverside, CA
- Anaheim, CA
- Wichita, KS
- San Francisco, CA
- Gilbert, AZ
- Mesa, AZ
- Irvine, CA
- Albuquerque, NM
- Chandler, AZ
- El Paso, TX
Detailed list of the best cities for a lead teacher
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Riverside, CA | $49,563 | $32,000 | 324,722 | 13 |
| 2 | Anaheim, CA | $49,911 | $32,000 | 351,043 | 5 |
| 3 | Wichita, KS | $34,139 | $23,000 | 389,902 | 14 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $51,695 | $33,000 | 870,887 | 46 |
| 5 | Gilbert, AZ | $35,602 | $23,000 | 237,133 | 3 |
| 6 | Mesa, AZ | $35,574 | $23,000 | 484,587 | 5 |
| 7 | Irvine, CA | $49,770 | $32,000 | 266,122 | 15 |
| 8 | Albuquerque, NM | $37,294 | $24,000 | 559,277 | 12 |
| 9 | Chandler, AZ | $35,652 | $23,000 | 247,477 | 7 |
| 10 | El Paso, TX | $35,094 | $22,000 | 683,080 | 5 |
| 11 | Philadelphia, PA | $33,066 | $20,000 | 1,567,872 | 37 |
| 12 | Omaha, NE | $32,297 | $23,000 | 446,970 | 30 |
| 13 | Los Angeles, CA | $50,290 | $33,000 | 3,976,322 | 27 |
| 14 | New Orleans, LA | $32,877 | $20,000 | 391,495 | 7 |
| 15 | San Jose, CA | $51,621 | $33,000 | 1,025,350 | 9 |
| 16 | Glendale, AZ | $35,801 | $23,000 | 245,895 | 1 |
| 17 | Boston, MA | $46,117 | $29,000 | 673,184 | 14 |
| 18 | New York, NY | $44,113 | $27,000 | 8,537,673 | 124 |
| 19 | San Antonio, TX | $33,785 | $21,000 | 1,492,510 | 15 |
| 20 | Fremont, CA | $51,526 | $33,000 | 233,136 | 2 |
| 21 | Phoenix, AZ | $35,745 | $23,000 | 1,615,017 | 19 |
| 22 | Seattle, WA | $41,519 | $30,000 | 704,352 | 32 |
| 23 | Oakland, CA | $51,537 | $33,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 24 | Detroit, MI | $31,896 | $21,000 | 672,795 | 10 |
| 25 | Bakersfield, CA | $50,623 | $33,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 26 | Stockton, CA | $50,614 | $33,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 27 | Fresno, CA | $50,391 | $33,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 28 | Sacramento, CA | $50,090 | $33,000 | 495,234 | 1 |
| 29 | San Diego, CA | $49,160 | $32,000 | 1,406,630 | 9 |
| 30 | Austin, TX | $33,411 | $21,000 | 947,890 | 28 |
| 31 | Colorado Springs, CO | $32,769 | $23,000 | 465,101 | 17 |
| 32 | Arlington, TX | $32,144 | $20,000 | 392,772 | 3 |
| 33 | Toledo, OH | $30,802 | $21,000 | 278,508 | 2 |
| 34 | Long Beach, CA | $50,076 | $32,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 35 | Las Vegas, NV | $38,471 | $25,000 | 632,912 | 3 |
| 36 | Madison, WI | $28,532 | $20,000 | 252,551 | 15 |
| 37 | Santa Ana, CA | $49,857 | $32,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 38 | Cleveland, OH | $31,185 | $20,000 | 385,809 | 5 |
| 39 | Lexington, KY | $28,947 | $19,000 | 318,449 | 5 |
| 40 | Buffalo, NY | $42,404 | $27,000 | 256,902 | 2 |
| 41 | Milwaukee, WI | $28,592 | $20,000 | 595,047 | 15 |
| 42 | Nashville, TN | $31,384 | $21,000 | 660,388 | 7 |
| 43 | Durham, NC | $28,871 | $18,000 | 263,016 | 14 |
| 44 | Chula Vista, CA | $49,086 | $32,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 45 | Oklahoma City, OK | $31,201 | $21,000 | 638,367 | 9 |
| 46 | Orlando, FL | $30,411 | $18,000 | 277,173 | 19 |
| 47 | Henderson, NV | $38,458 | $25,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 48 | Baltimore, MD | $37,929 | $23,000 | 614,664 | 15 |
| 49 | Reno, NV | $38,423 | $25,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 50 | Denver, CO | $32,748 | $23,000 | 693,060 | 46 |
Highest paying cities for lead teachers
| Rank | City | Avg. lead teacher salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $51,695 |
| 2 | Brookline, MA | $46,130 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $44,113 |
| 4 | Auburn, WA | $41,562 |
| 5 | Las Vegas, NV | $38,471 |
| 6 | Jersey City, NJ | $38,027 |
| 7 | Baltimore, MD | $37,929 |
| 8 | Phoenix, AZ | $35,745 |
| 9 | Chicago, IL | $34,887 |
| 10 | San Antonio, TX | $33,785 |
| 11 | Salt Lake City, UT | $33,292 |
| 12 | Philadelphia, PA | $33,066 |
| 13 | Colorado Springs, CO | $32,769 |
| 14 | Omaha, NE | $32,297 |
| 15 | Ashburn, VA | $31,982 |
| 16 | Detroit, MI | $31,896 |
| 17 | Tampa, FL | $30,837 |
| 18 | Columbus, OH | $29,972 |
| 19 | Washington, DC | $29,847 |
| 20 | Greenville, SC | $29,771 |
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Updated January 8, 2025