Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondaries in California make a median of $132,960 a year. The range runs from $78K at the entry level to $279K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 106.14), so that salary is closer to $125,269 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,471/month, about 31.5% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across California. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $133K get you in California?
About chemistry teachers, postsecondaries
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in California
California sits well above the national pay line for chemistry teachers, postsecondary, local pay runs about 43% higher than the U.S. median of $93K. Rent runs $2,471/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 31.8% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost-of-living overall is 6% above the national average (BEA RPP 106.14), so groceries and services cost more too. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level chemistry teachers, postsecondaries (10th percentile) start around $78K. Mid-career wages sit at $133K. Top earners bring in $279K or more, a $200K spread from bottom to top.
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary salary by metro in California
8 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $156K | +18% | 110 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $141K | +6% | 560 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $138K | +4% | 250 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $137K | +3% | 150 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $131K | -1% | 160 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $130K | -2% | 120 |
| Fresno | $129K | -3% | 50 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $95K | -29% | 60 |
Compare to other states
Track chemistry teachers, postsecondary salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
Related careers in Education
Frequently asked questions
Can a chemistry teachers, postsecondary afford a 2BR apartment alone in California?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $133K, rent takes 31.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,471/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $2,300/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for chemistry teachers, postsecondaries in California?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new chemistry teachers, postsecondaries typically earn — is $78K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,707/month. At HUD’s $2,471/month FMR, rent would take 52% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is chemistry teachers, postsecondary a high-paying job in California?
Local pay is 43% above the national median — $133K here vs. $93K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 6% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does California compare to the national average for chemistry teachers, postsecondaries?
California pays $133K median vs. the U.S. average of $93K — that’s +43%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 106.14), the purchasing-power equivalent is $125K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do chemistry teachers, postsecondaries make in California?
The median is $132,960 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $78,450, and experienced chemistry teachers, postsecondaries can clear $278,510. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $133K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,761/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,471/month, which eats 31.8% 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 chemistry teachers, postsecondary salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 106.14 (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 chemistry teachers, postsecondary salary is worth about $125,269 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do chemistry teachers, postsecondaries 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.