Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary Schools in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA make a median of $117,500 a year. The range runs from $63K at the entry level to $156K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.8), so that salary is closer to $107,996 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,124/month — about 43.2% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $118K get you in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
About career/technical education teachers, secondary schools
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Entry-level career/technical education teachers, secondary schools (10th percentile) start around $63K. Mid-career wages sit at $118K.Top earners bring in $156K or more - a $93K spread from bottom to top.
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $99K | +54% | 3,330 |
| Connecticut | $97K | +52% | 1,760 |
| District of Columbia | $97K | +51% | 110 |
| Massachusetts | $93K | +45% | 2,890 |
| Alabama | $85K | +34% | 120 |
| California | $82K | +28% | 3,420 |
| New Jersey | $81K | +27% | 2,370 |
| Maryland | $80K | +25% | 450 |
| New York | $80K | +25% | 6,260 |
| Oregon | $80K | +25% | 340 |
| Rhode Island | $79K | +23% | 180 |
| Delaware | $77K | +20% | 560 |
| Missouri | $76K | +19% | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | $76K | +19% | 3,310 |
| Ohio | $76K | +19% | 4,960 |
Track career/technical education teachers, secondary school 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 career/technical education teachers, secondary schools make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median is $117,500 a year. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $62,870, and experienced career/technical education teachers, secondary schools can clear $155,860. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $118K enough to live in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,999/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,124/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 44.6% 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 career/technical education teachers, secondary school 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 career/technical education teachers, secondary school salary is worth about $107,996 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do career/technical education teachers, secondary schools 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.