Economics Teacher, Postsecondary Salary in California (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$137,360
per year
Hourly Rate
$66.04
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+11% vs US median
US median $123,920
State Rank
#5 of 42
770 employed here

How much does an Economics Teacher, Postsecondary make in California?

An Economics Teacher, Postsecondary working in California earns a median salary of $137,360 per year, or about $66.04 per hour. That is 11% above the national median of $123,920 for this occupation.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $79,050 while the top 10% make $266,470 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $100,310 and $205,580 a year.

Economics Teacher, Postsecondary salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$79,050$38.00
25th percentile (early career)$100,310$48.23
50th percentile (median)$137,360$66.04
75th percentile (experienced)$205,580$98.84
90th percentile (top earners)$266,470$128.11

How California compares

California ranks 5th out of 42 states and territories for Economics Teacher, Postsecondary pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New Hampshire$201,610
2Massachusetts$164,410
3District of Columbia$161,860
4Connecticut$155,950
5California$137,360

Working as an Economics Teacher, Postsecondary in California

Nationally, about 12,000 people work as Economics 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 ($137,360) 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 an Economics Teacher, Postsecondary make in California?
The median Economics Teacher, Postsecondary salary in California is $137,360 per year, or about $66.04 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $79,050 at the entry level to $266,470 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Economics Teachers, Postsecondary about 11% more than the national median of $123,920. California ranks 5th out of 42 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Economics Teachers, Postsecondary?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $137,360 a year. About 770 Economics 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 Economics 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.