History Teacher, Postsecondary Salary in California (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$127,170
per year
Hourly Rate
$61.14
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+52% vs US median
US median $83,820
State Rank
#1 of 45
1,450 employed here

How much does a History Teacher, Postsecondary make in California?

A History Teacher, Postsecondary working in California earns a median salary of $127,170 per year, or about $61.14 per hour. That is 52% above the national median of $83,820 for this occupation.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $62,690 while the top 10% make $217,700 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $85,200 and $168,450 a year.

History Teacher, Postsecondary salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$62,690$30.14
25th percentile (early career)$85,200$40.96
50th percentile (median)$127,170$61.14
75th percentile (experienced)$168,450$80.99
90th percentile (top earners)$217,700$104.66

How California compares

California ranks 1st out of 45 states and territories for History Teacher, Postsecondary pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$127,170
2New Hampshire$106,880
3Massachusetts$104,900
4Oregon$104,330
5Connecticut$101,950

Working as a History Teacher, Postsecondary in California

Nationally, about 19,000 people work as History 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 ($127,170) 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 a History Teacher, Postsecondary make in California?
The median History Teacher, Postsecondary salary in California is $127,170 per year, or about $61.14 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $62,690 at the entry level to $217,700 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays History Teachers, Postsecondary about 52% more than the national median of $83,820. California ranks 1st out of 45 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for History Teachers, Postsecondary?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $127,170 a year. About 1,450 History 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 History 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.