History Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in California

History teachers, postsecondary in California earn the most in San Francisco (average $176,390 a year) and the least in Fresno ($124,370), across the 7 California metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the history teachers, postsecondary average at $134,280 and the median at $127,170 for 1,450 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $96,580.

History Teachers, Postsecondary average salary by city in California

San Francisco$176,390
Riverside$175,080
San Diego$140,720
Sacramento$137,250
Los Angeles$132,520
San Jose$132,430
Fresno$124,370

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
San Francisco	$176,390	$162,160	$125,850	$119,516	116
Riverside	$175,080	$192,320	$119,400	$118,743	106
San Diego	$140,720	$135,420	$101,640	$98,453	112
Sacramento	$137,250	$127,180	$105,790	$96,404	107
Los Angeles	$132,520	$129,120	$84,670	$93,611	114
San Jose	$132,430	$127,780	$101,090	$93,558	110
Fresno	$124,370	$121,820	$85,140	$88,798	102

*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.

History Teachers, Postsecondary salary in other states

History 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 25-1125.
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.

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