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 level | Annual salary | Hourly 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:
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary salary in other states
New Hampshire $101,750Delaware $101,100Massachusetts $98,750Maine $96,970New York $95,120Oregon $91,670Maryland $87,280Nevada $84,980Michigan $83,190Illinois $81,530South Dakota $81,080Minnesota $80,650Connecticut $80,630Montana $79,970Iowa $79,880New Jersey $79,060District of Columbia $78,930Utah $78,570Wisconsin $78,490Washington $78,320Colorado $77,840South Carolina $77,790Pennsylvania $77,210Alaska $76,490Tennessee $76,350West Virginia $76,340Florida $76,230Missouri $76,110Louisiana $75,410Texas $75,090Indiana $74,590Ohio $74,310Virginia $74,000Georgia $73,370New Mexico $71,720Arizona $71,230Alabama $70,580Kansas $65,890Kentucky $65,630North Dakota $64,540North Carolina $63,900Arkansas $62,900Oklahoma $61,580Mississippi $54,670
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.