Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in California (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$81,960
per year
Hourly Rate
$39.40
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+2% vs US median
US median $80,250
State Rank
#18 of 51
5,610 employed here

How much do Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary make in California?

Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary working in California earn a median salary of $81,960 per year, or about $39.40 per hour. That is 2% above the national median of $80,250 for this occupation.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $47,840 while the top 10% make $164,450 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $62,530 and $116,460 a year.

Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$47,840$23.00
25th percentile (early career)$62,530$30.06
50th percentile (median)$81,960$39.40
75th percentile (experienced)$116,460$55.99
90th percentile (top earners)$164,450$79.06

How California compares

California ranks 18th out of 51 states and territories for Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Hawaii$129,530
2District of Columbia$107,770
3Delaware$98,170
4Nevada$96,500
5Connecticut$95,500

Working as Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary in California

Nationally, about 78,000 people work as Nursing Instructors and 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 ($81,960) 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 Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary make in California?
The median Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary salary in California is $81,960 per year, or about $39.40 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,840 at the entry level to $164,450 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary about 2% more than the national median of $80,250. California ranks 18th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $81,960 a year. About 5,610 Nursing Instructors and 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 Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary salary report

Related salaries

Special Education Teacher, Preschool

$64,830
median pay · 30,000 employed

Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

$75,870
median pay · 3,000 employed

Physics Teacher, Postsecondary

$100,310
median pay · 13,000 employed

Communication Teachers, Postsecondary

$78,580
median pay · 29,000 employed

Social Science Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other

$72,990
median pay · 17,000 employed

Education Teacher, Postsecondary

$75,350
median pay · 61,000 employed
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.