California Median
$130,490
per year
Hourly Rate
$62.74
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+66% vs US median
US median $78,760
State Rank
#1 of 49
5,460 employed here
How much do English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary make in California?
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in California take home a median of $130,490 annually — roughly $62.74 an hour — which runs 66% above the national median of $78,760.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $62,360 while the top 10% make $216,190 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $95,900 and $167,640 a year.
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,360 | $29.98 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $95,900 | $46.11 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $130,490 | $62.74 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $167,640 | $80.60 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $216,190 | $103.94 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 1st out of 49 states and territories for English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary salary in other states
New Hampshire $98,650Connecticut $97,310Delaware $97,100Oregon $91,870Michigan $90,240Vermont $86,870Nevada $85,830New York $84,850Maine $84,290Minnesota $84,200Massachusetts $83,980Maryland $83,760Alaska $82,770District of Columbia $82,300Wisconsin $80,800Pennsylvania $80,670Washington $79,840Iowa $79,720Rhode Island $79,190Texas $78,900New Jersey $78,760Nebraska $78,450Illinois $77,570Arizona $76,990Utah $73,280Montana $73,160Missouri $73,070Colorado $72,910Indiana $69,180Virginia $67,330New Mexico $66,450Georgia $65,530Ohio $65,140Kentucky $65,090South Carolina $64,470Tennessee $64,220North Dakota $63,690North Carolina $63,370West Virginia $63,280South Dakota $62,960Alabama $62,910Kansas $62,340Wyoming $62,030Mississippi $60,680Louisiana $60,350Florida $59,740Arkansas $56,520Oklahoma $53,200
Working as English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in California
Nationally, about 58,000 people work as English Language and Literature 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 ($130,490) 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 English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary make in California?
The median English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary salary in California is $130,490 per year, or about $62.74 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $62,360 at the entry level to $216,190 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary about 66% more than the national median of $78,760. California ranks 1st out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $130,490 a year. About 5,460 English Language and Literature 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 English Language and Literature 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.