Chemistry Teacher, Postsecondary Salary in California (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$132,960
per year
Hourly Rate
$63.92
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+43% vs US median
US median $93,250
State Rank
#1 of 48
1,650 employed here

How much does a Chemistry Teacher, Postsecondary make in California?

A Chemistry Teacher, Postsecondary working in California earns a median salary of $132,960 per year, or about $63.92 per hour. That is 43% above the national median of $93,250 for this occupation.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $78,450 while the top 10% make $278,510 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $102,980 and $188,810 a year.

Chemistry Teacher, Postsecondary salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$78,450$37.72
25th percentile (early career)$102,980$49.51
50th percentile (median)$132,960$63.92
75th percentile (experienced)$188,810$90.77
90th percentile (top earners)$278,510$133.90

How California compares

California ranks 1st out of 48 states and territories for Chemistry Teacher, Postsecondary pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$132,960
2North Dakota$111,020
3Massachusetts$108,270
4Delaware$104,610
5Minnesota$104,380

Working as a Chemistry Teacher, Postsecondary in California

Nationally, about 20,000 people work as Chemistry 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 ($132,960) 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 Chemistry Teacher, Postsecondary make in California?
The median Chemistry Teacher, Postsecondary salary in California is $132,960 per year, or about $63.92 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $78,450 at the entry level to $278,510 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary about 43% more than the national median of $93,250. California ranks 1st out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $132,960 a year. About 1,650 Chemistry 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 Chemistry Teacher, Postsecondary salary report

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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.