Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
In Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA, engineering teachers, postsecondaries earn $126,390 at the median. The range runs from $65K at the entry level to $217K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.8), so that salary is closer to $116,167 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,124/month — about 41.9% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $126K get you in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Santa Maria-Santa Barbara’s Regional Price Parity (108.8). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About engineering teachers, postsecondaries
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Entry-level engineering teachers, postsecondaries (10th percentile) start around $65K. Mid-career wages sit at $126K. Top earners bring in $217K or more, a $152K spread from bottom to top.
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | $130K | +22% | 260 |
| California | $129K | +22% | 2,060 |
| Illinois | $129K | +21% | 1,210 |
| Virginia | $127K | +20% | 1,060 |
| Montana | $127K | +19% | 240 |
| Georgia | $126K | +19% | 690 |
| Michigan | $126K | +19% | 1,760 |
| Texas | $125K | +18% | 4,740 |
| Louisiana | $124K | +17% | 250 |
| New York | $123K | +16% | 3,840 |
| Maryland | $121K | +14% | 720 |
| Iowa | $112K | +5% | 480 |
| Tennessee | $109K | +3% | 660 |
| Washington | $109K | +3% | 840 |
| Pennsylvania | $108K | +2% | 3,070 |
| Idaho | $108K | +1% | 220 |
| West Virginia | $107K | +1% | 290 |
| Alaska | $106K | +0% | 80 |
| Wisconsin | $106K | -0% | 710 |
| Arizona | $106K | -0% | 580 |
| Nebraska | $106K | -1% | 240 |
| North Dakota | $105K | -1% | 220 |
| Delaware | $105K | -1% | 230 |
| New Hampshire | $104K | -2% | N/A |
| Minnesota | $104K | -2% | 540 |
| New Jersey | $104K | -2% | 1,170 |
| Missouri | $104K | -2% | N/A |
| Ohio | $104K | -2% | 1,390 |
| Nevada | $104K | -2% | 210 |
| Indiana | $103K | -2% | 1,350 |
| Alabama | $103K | -3% | 730 |
| Arkansas | $103K | -3% | 280 |
| Kentucky | $103K | -3% | 350 |
| Massachusetts | $103K | -3% | 1,560 |
| Utah | $103K | -3% | 390 |
| Oregon | $103K | -3% | 330 |
| Oklahoma | $103K | -3% | 450 |
| New Mexico | $103K | -3% | 230 |
| Maine | $102K | -3% | 180 |
| Mississippi | $102K | -4% | 340 |
| South Dakota | $101K | -5% | 120 |
| Wyoming | $100K | -6% | 130 |
| Rhode Island | $99K | -6% | N/A |
| District of Columbia | $98K | -8% | 140 |
| Vermont | $98K | -8% | 110 |
| South Carolina | $97K | -9% | 690 |
| Connecticut | $88K | -17% | 560 |
| Florida | $57K | -47% | 820 |
Showing 1–10 of 48 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track engineering 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 engineering teachers, postsecondaries make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median is $126,390 a year, that works out to about $0 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $64,510, and experienced engineering teachers, postsecondaries can clear $216,530. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $126K enough to live in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,437/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,124/month, which eats 42% 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 engineering 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 engineering teachers, postsecondary salary is worth about $116,167 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do engineering 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.