English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
In California, english language and literature teachers, postsecondaries earn $130,490 at the median. The range runs from $62K at the entry level to $216K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 106.14), so that salary is closer to $122,941 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,471/month, about 32.1% 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 $130K get you in California?
About english language and literature teachers, postsecondaries
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What this looks like in California
California sits well above the national pay line for english language and literature teachers, postsecondary, local pay runs about 66% higher than the U.S. median of $79K. Rent runs $2,471/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 32.3% 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 english language and literature teachers, postsecondaries (10th percentile) start around $62K. Mid-career wages sit at $130K. Top earners bring in $216K or more, a $154K spread from bottom to top.
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary salary by metro in California
9 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $165K | +27% | 610 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $160K | +23% | 480 |
| Fresno | $138K | +6% | 200 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $133K | +2% | 500 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $132K | +1% | 50 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $129K | -1% | 2,150 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $128K | -2% | 370 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $108K | -17% | 290 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $100K | -23% | 100 |
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Frequently asked questions
Can a english language and literature teachers, postsecondary afford a 2BR apartment alone in California?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $130K, rent takes 32.3% 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 english language and literature teachers, postsecondaries in California?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new english language and literature teachers, postsecondaries typically earn — is $62K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,742/month. At HUD’s $2,471/month FMR, rent would take 66% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is english language and literature teachers, postsecondary a high-paying job in California?
Local pay is 66% above the national median — $130K here vs. $79K 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 english language and literature teachers, postsecondaries?
California pays $130K median vs. the U.S. average of $79K — that’s +66%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 106.14), the purchasing-power equivalent is $123K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do english language and literature teachers, postsecondaries make in California?
The median is $130,490 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $62,360, and experienced english language and literature teachers, postsecondaries can clear $216,190. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $130K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,639/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,471/month, which eats 32.3% 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 english language and literature 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 english language and literature teachers, postsecondary salary is worth about $122,941 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do english language and literature 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.