Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary salary in California
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary in California earn a median of $107,340 a year, based on BLS data for 4,410 workers.
Pay ranges from $68,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $205,930 for the top 10%. That is 34% higher than the national median of $80,340. California ranks 1st of 50 states for psychology teachers, postsecondary pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.24 psychology teachers, postsecondary per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $126,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for psychology teachers, postsecondary in California
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,200 |
| 25th percentile | $81,600 |
| Median | $107,340 |
| 75th percentile | $165,660 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $205,930 |
| Average (mean) | $126,620 |
Half of psychology 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 | $8,945 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,472.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,128.46 |
| Weekly | $2,064.23 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because psychology 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.
Buying a home? On a $107,340 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $137,810 | 400 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $133,880 | 230 |
| Fresno, CA | $133,490 | 150 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $129,610 | 330 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $126,690 | 360 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $126,080 | 40 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $105,720 | 440 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $103,780 | 110 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $101,980 | 1,830 |
Highest-paying states for psychology teachers, postsecondary
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $107,340 |
| Delaware | $102,340 |
| Maryland | $101,430 |
| District of Columbia | $101,250 |
| New York | $100,720 |
| Michigan | $99,900 |
| North Dakota | $97,110 |
| New Hampshire | $95,030 |
| Rhode Island | $94,360 |
| Utah | $93,090 |
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 | — |
| Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $130,680 | — |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $129,150 | — |
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | $135,000 | — |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $111,850 | — |
| 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 25-1066. 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 psychology teachers, postsecondary make in California?
The median salary for psychology teachers, postsecondary in California is $107,340 a year. Pay ranges from $68,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $205,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid psychology teachers, postsecondary make in California?
The top 10% of psychology teachers, postsecondary in California earn at least $205,930 a year. The top 25% earn $165,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for psychology teachers, postsecondary in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,200 a year, and a quarter of psychology teachers, postsecondary earn $81,600 or less.
How many psychology teachers, postsecondary work in California?
About 4,410 psychology teachers, postsecondary are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.