Education Teachers, Postsecondary salary in California
Education Teachers, Postsecondary in California earn a median of $111,850 a year, based on BLS data for 3,100 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,270 for the top 10%. That is 48% higher than the national median of $75,350. California ranks 1st of 49 states for education teachers, postsecondary pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.17 education teachers, postsecondary per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.44). The average (mean) salary is $113,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for education teachers, postsecondary in California
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,620 |
| 25th percentile | $79,040 |
| Median | $111,850 |
| 75th percentile | $132,730 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $159,270 |
| Average (mean) | $113,870 |
Half of education teachers, postsecondary earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $9,320.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,660.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,301.92 |
| Weekly | $2,150.96 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because education teachers, postsecondary are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Education Teachers, Postsecondary salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $129,100 | 160 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $123,910 | 240 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $121,520 | 430 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $105,730 | 1,330 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $92,720 | 240 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $82,370 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for education teachers, postsecondary
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $111,850 |
| Louisiana | $83,710 |
| New York | $82,020 |
| District of Columbia | $80,810 |
| Connecticut | $80,620 |
| Rhode Island | $80,030 |
| Massachusetts | $79,980 |
| Michigan | $79,910 |
| Minnesota | $78,950 |
| Nebraska | $78,950 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $100,690 | — |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $165,110 | — |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $76,630 | $36.84 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $99,410 | — |
| Law Teachers, Postsecondary | $119,540 | — |
| Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary | $81,960 | — |
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $130,490 | — |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $128,470 | — |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | $107,340 | — |
| Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $130,680 | — |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $129,150 | — |
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | $135,000 | — |
| Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other | $132,920 | — |
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | $137,280 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-1081. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a education teachers, postsecondary make in California?
The median salary for education teachers, postsecondary in California is $111,850 a year. Pay ranges from $59,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid education teachers, postsecondary make in California?
The top 10% of education teachers, postsecondary in California earn at least $159,270 a year. The top 25% earn $132,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for education teachers, postsecondary in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,620 a year, and a quarter of education teachers, postsecondary earn $79,040 or less.
How many education teachers, postsecondary work in California?
About 3,100 education teachers, postsecondary are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.