Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in California (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$99,860
per year
Hourly Rate
$48.01
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+26% vs US median
US median $79,350
State Rank
#3 of 45
2,170 employed here

How much do Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary make in California?

Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary working in California earn a median salary of $99,860 per year, or about $48.01 per hour. That is 26% above the national median of $79,350 for this occupation.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $45,580 while the top 10% make $208,410 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $64,680 and $166,400 a year.

Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$45,580$21.91
25th percentile (early career)$64,680$31.10
50th percentile (median)$99,860$48.01
75th percentile (experienced)$166,400$80.00
90th percentile (top earners)$208,410$100.20

How California compares

California ranks 3rd out of 45 states and territories for Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New Hampshire$101,750
2Delaware$101,100
3California$99,860
4Massachusetts$98,750
5Maine$96,970

Working as Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in California

Nationally, about 20,000 people work as Foreign 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 ($99,860) 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 Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary make in California?
The median Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary salary in California is $99,860 per year, or about $48.01 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $45,580 at the entry level to $208,410 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary about 26% more than the national median of $79,350. California ranks 3rd out of 45 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $99,860 a year. About 2,170 Foreign 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 Foreign 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.