Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$139,720
per year
Hourly Rate
$67.17
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+82% vs US median
US median $76,590
State Rank
#1 of 41
1,460 employed here

How much do Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary make in California?

Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary in California take home a median of $139,720 annually — roughly $67.17 an hour — which runs 82% above the national median of $76,590.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $68,960 while the top 10% make $259,890 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $82,190 and $216,150 a year.

Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$68,960$33.15
25th percentile (early career)$82,190$39.51
50th percentile (median)$139,720$67.17
75th percentile (experienced)$216,150$103.92
90th percentile (top earners)$259,890$124.95

How California compares

California ranks 1st out of 41 states and territories for Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$139,720
2Colorado$122,050
3Maryland$99,600
4Pennsylvania$94,710
5Oregon$93,960

Working as Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary in California

Nationally, about 13,000 people work as Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement 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 ($139,720) 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 do Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary make in California?
The median Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary salary in California is $139,720 per year, or about $67.17 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $68,960 at the entry level to $259,890 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary about 82% more than the national median of $76,590. California ranks 1st out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $139,720 a year. About 1,460 Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement 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 Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, 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.