Career/Technical Education Teacher, Postsecondary Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$76,630
per year
Hourly Rate
$36.84
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+20% vs US median
US median $63,820
State Rank
#7 of 51
11,040 employed here

How much does a Career/Technical Education Teacher, Postsecondary make in California?

A Career/Technical Education Teacher, Postsecondary working in California earns a median salary of $76,630 per year, or about $36.84 per hour. That is 20% above the national median of $63,820 for this occupation.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $45,800 while the top 10% make $168,680 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $52,110 and $116,450 a year.

Career/Technical Education Teacher, Postsecondary salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$45,800$22.02
25th percentile (early career)$52,110$25.05
50th percentile (median)$76,630$36.84
75th percentile (experienced)$116,450$55.99
90th percentile (top earners)$168,680$81.10

How California compares

California ranks 7th out of 51 states and territories for Career/Technical Education Teacher, Postsecondary pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Wisconsin$82,620
2South Carolina$79,610
3Massachusetts$78,780
4Washington$77,530
5Alaska$77,310

Working as a Career/Technical Education Teacher, Postsecondary in California

Nationally, about 114,000 people work as Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($76,630) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Career/Technical Education Teacher, Postsecondary make in California?
The median Career/Technical Education Teacher, Postsecondary salary in California is $76,630 per year, or about $36.84 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $45,800 at the entry level to $168,680 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary about 20% more than the national median of $63,820. California ranks 7th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $76,630 a year. About 11,040 Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Career/Technical Education Teacher, Postsecondary salary report

Related salaries

Social Work Teacher, Postsecondary

$77,570
median pay · 13,000 employed

Kindergarten Teacher, Except Special Education

$62,680
median pay · 109,000 employed

Museum Technicians and Conservators

$51,440
median pay · 12,000 employed

Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary

$80,250
median pay · 78,000 employed

Curator

$63,420
median pay · 12,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.