English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
In Salem, OR, english language and literature teachers, postsecondaries earn $89,180 at the median. The range runs from $61K at the entry level to $108K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.65), that's roughly $86,040 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,560/month, or 27.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Where the paycheck goes
What $89K actually covers in Salem, month by month
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Salem’s Regional Price Parity (103.65). 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 english language and literature teachers, postsecondaries
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What this looks like in Salem
Salem sits well above the national pay line for english language and literature teachers, postsecondary, local pay runs about 13% higher than the U.S. median of $79K. Rent runs $1,560/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29.3% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 103.65) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for english language and literature teachers, postsecondaries in metros near Salem, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Eugene-Springfield | $103K | $102K |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro | $92K | $87K |
| Boise City | $79K | $81K |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $129K | $113K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Salem, OR
Entry-level english language and literature teachers, postsecondaries (10th percentile) start around $61K. Mid-career wages sit at $89K. Top earners bring in $108K or more, a $47K spread from bottom to top.
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $130K | +66% | 5,460 |
| New Hampshire | $99K | +25% | 230 |
| Connecticut | $97K | +24% | 940 |
| Delaware | $97K | +23% | N/A |
| Oregon | $92K | +17% | 960 |
| Michigan | $90K | +15% | 1,730 |
| Vermont | $87K | +10% | 170 |
| Nevada | $86K | +9% | 280 |
| New York | $85K | +8% | 6,110 |
| Maine | $84K | +7% | 230 |
| Minnesota | $84K | +7% | 920 |
| Massachusetts | $84K | +7% | 2,900 |
| Maryland | $84K | +6% | 830 |
| Alaska | $83K | +5% | 90 |
| District of Columbia | $82K | +4% | 410 |
| Wisconsin | $81K | +3% | 840 |
| Pennsylvania | $81K | +2% | 2,530 |
| Washington | $80K | +1% | 1,000 |
| Iowa | $80K | +1% | 510 |
| Rhode Island | $79K | +1% | 540 |
| Texas | $79K | +0% | 4,310 |
| New Jersey | $79K | +0% | 1,950 |
| Nebraska | $78K | -0% | 500 |
| Illinois | $78K | -2% | 2,570 |
| Arizona | $77K | -2% | 870 |
| Utah | $73K | -7% | 420 |
| Montana | $73K | -7% | 130 |
| Missouri | $73K | -7% | 1,040 |
| Colorado | $73K | -7% | 1,220 |
| Indiana | $69K | -12% | 1,000 |
| Virginia | $67K | -15% | 1,810 |
| New Mexico | $66K | -16% | 230 |
| Georgia | $66K | -17% | 1,140 |
| Ohio | $65K | -17% | 2,240 |
| Kentucky | $65K | -17% | 540 |
| South Carolina | $64K | -18% | 840 |
| Tennessee | $64K | -18% | 1,150 |
| North Dakota | $64K | -19% | 120 |
| North Carolina | $63K | -20% | 2,140 |
| West Virginia | $63K | -20% | 250 |
| South Dakota | $63K | -20% | 110 |
| Alabama | $63K | -20% | 1,040 |
| Kansas | $62K | -21% | 460 |
| Wyoming | $62K | -21% | 140 |
| Mississippi | $61K | -23% | 530 |
| Louisiana | $60K | -23% | 430 |
| Florida | $60K | -24% | 2,480 |
| Arkansas | $57K | -28% | 320 |
| Oklahoma | $53K | -32% | 500 |
Showing 1–10 of 49 states with published data
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track english language and literature teachers, postsecondary salary changes
BLS updates this data annually. We'll email you when Salem numbers change.
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Quick answers
The stuff people actually ask about this job
Can a english language and literature teachers, postsecondary afford a 2BR apartment alone in Salem?
Yes — at the median salary of $89K, rent takes 29.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,560/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for english language and literature teachers, postsecondaries in Salem?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new english language and literature teachers, postsecondaries typically earn — is $61K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,878/month. At HUD’s $1,560/month FMR, rent would take 40% 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 Salem?
Local pay is 13% above the national median — $89K here vs. $79K nationally.
How does Salem compare to the national average for english language and literature teachers, postsecondaries?
Salem pays $89K median vs. the U.S. average of $79K — that’s +13%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 103.65), the purchasing-power equivalent is $86K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do english language and literature teachers, postsecondaries make in Salem, OR?
The median is $89,180 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $61,410, and experienced english language and literature teachers, postsecondaries can clear $108,020. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $89K enough to live in Salem?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,321/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,560/month, which eats 29.3% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a english language and literature teachers, postsecondary salary go in Salem?
Salem has a Regional Price Parity of 103.65 (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 $86,040 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.