SOC 25-1042 · San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in San Diego, CA

The average salary for biological science teachers, postsecondary in San Diego, California is $182,570 a year, according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $166,850: half of the 570 people in this job in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 78% more than the U.S. average for this job ($102,840).

$182,570average per year

Median $166,850Take-home ≈ $123,166

  • $82K10th
  • $127K25th
  • $167KMedian
  • $224K75th
  • $351K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

570people in this job
+78%vs U.S. average
#1 of 9California metros
112cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary pay range in San Diego

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $82,490 a year or less, while the top 10% make $350,710 or more. The middle half of biological science teachers, postsecondary in San Diego earn between $126,530 and $223,730.

  • $82K10th
  • $127K25th
  • $167KMedian
  • $224K75th
  • $351K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$182,570$15,214—
Median$166,850$13,904—
Entry level (25th percentile)$126,530$10,544—
Experienced (75th percentile)$223,730$18,644—

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year (BLS publishes this job's pay as annual only). Hourly to annual salary.

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary pay in San Diego vs. California and the U.S.

Biological science teachers, postsecondary in San Diego earn 24% more than the California average ($146,810) and 78% more than the U.S. average ($102,840). At the median the gap is +97% against the U.S. median of $84,620.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
San Diego$182,570$166,850$82,490$350,710570
California$146,810$129,150$75,280$250,7003,610
United States$102,840$84,620$52,150$169,90050,190

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary salary after taxes in San Diego

On the average salary of $182,570, a single filer in San Diego takes home about $123,166 a year, or $10,264 a month and $4,737 every two weeks. Taxes take 33% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.

California paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is San Diego a good place for biological science teachers, postsecondary? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the San Diego area are 12% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 111.9), so the average $182,570 buys what about $163,174 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.8 times the median wage of all jobs in San Diego ($58,690). A typical home costs $946,365, or 5.2 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $182,570 is worth in another city

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary salary in other California cities

San Diego ranks 1st of 9 California metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.

All Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary salaries in California

Highest-paying cities for biological science teachers, postsecondary

San Diego, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($182,570).

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary salary by city

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Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary salary in San Diego: questions

What is the entry-level biological science teachers, postsecondary salary in San Diego?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $82,490 a year and the 25th percentile is $126,530, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the biological science teachers, postsecondary take-home pay in San Diego?

About $123,166 a year ($10,264 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $182,570. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.

Do biological science teachers, postsecondary earn more in San Diego than elsewhere?

The average here is 78% more than the U.S. average for this job ($102,840).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 25-1042; area San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA (41740). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.5%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 1.14, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.

Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.