Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
The median pay for a area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is $163,460/year, per BLS data. Entry-level workers start around $78K. (BLS did not publish a top-end figure for this area.) Prices run high here (RPP 108.8), so that salary is closer to $150,239 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,124/month — about 32.4% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $163K get you in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
About area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondarys
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Entry-level area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondarys (10th percentile) start around $78K. Mid-career wages sit at $163K.BLS did not publish 90th percentile data for this occupation in this area (sample size too small).
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $113K | +34% | 1,030 |
| Vermont | $107K | +27% | 90 |
| Kansas | $103K | +22% | 90 |
| Rhode Island | $101K | +19% | N/A |
| Massachusetts | $100K | +18% | 610 |
| Connecticut | $99K | +17% | 240 |
| District of Columbia | $99K | +17% | 240 |
| New York | $97K | +15% | 1,740 |
| Illinois | $97K | +15% | 150 |
| Michigan | $96K | +14% | 370 |
| Pennsylvania | $96K | +13% | 570 |
| Maryland | $88K | +4% | 560 |
| New Jersey | $87K | +4% | 480 |
| Arizona | $87K | +3% | 190 |
| Virginia | $80K | -5% | 340 |
Track area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Santa Maria-Santa Barbara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondarys make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median is $163,460 a year. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $77,810. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $163K enough to live in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,262/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,124/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 33.7% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary salary go in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara has a Regional Price Parity of 108.8 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary salary is worth about $150,239 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondarys get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.