Education Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in California

Education teachers, postsecondary in California earn the most in San Jose (average $130,400 a year) and the least in Sacramento ($99,580), across the 6 California metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the education teachers, postsecondary average at $113,870 and the median at $111,850 for 3,100 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $79,350.

Education Teachers, Postsecondary average salary by city in California

San Jose$130,400
Riverside$124,070
San Diego$122,520
Los Angeles$110,600
San Francisco$108,550
Sacramento$99,580

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
San Jose	$130,400	$121,520	$101,190	$92,359	110
Riverside	$124,070	$123,910	$77,170	$88,621	106
San Diego	$122,520	$129,100	$100,610	$87,706	112
Los Angeles	$110,600	$105,730	$78,940	$80,443	114
San Francisco	$108,550	$92,720	$78,250	$79,192	116
Sacramento	$99,580	$82,370	$64,070	$73,716	107

*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer; California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.

Education Teachers, Postsecondary salary in other states

Education Teachers, Postsecondary salary by city and state

More about pay in California

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 25-1081.
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.

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