Psychology Teacher, Postsecondary Salary in California (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$107,340
per year
Hourly Rate
$51.61
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+34% vs US median
US median $80,340
State Rank
#1 of 50
4,410 employed here

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

A Psychology Teacher, Postsecondary working in California earns a median salary of $107,340 per year, or about $51.61 per hour. That is 34% above the national median of $80,340 for this occupation.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $68,200 while the top 10% make $205,930 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $81,600 and $165,660 a year.

Psychology Teacher, Postsecondary salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$68,200$32.79
25th percentile (early career)$81,600$39.23
50th percentile (median)$107,340$51.61
75th percentile (experienced)$165,660$79.64
90th percentile (top earners)$205,930$99.00

How California compares

California ranks 1st out of 50 states and territories for Psychology Teacher, Postsecondary pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$107,340
2Delaware$102,340
3Maryland$101,430
4District of Columbia$101,250
5New York$100,720

Working as a Psychology Teacher, Postsecondary in California

Nationally, about 42,000 people work as Psychology 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 ($107,340) 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 Psychology Teacher, Postsecondary make in California?
The median Psychology Teacher, Postsecondary salary in California is $107,340 per year, or about $51.61 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $68,200 at the entry level to $205,930 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary about 34% more than the national median of $80,340. California ranks 1st out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $107,340 a year. About 4,410 Psychology 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 Psychology 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.