Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
In California, environmental science teachers, postsecondaries earn $108,290 at the median. The range runs from $65K at the entry level to $169K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 106.14), so that salary is closer to $102,026 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,471/month, about 37.1% 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 $108K get you in California?
About environmental science teachers, postsecondaries
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What this looks like in California
California sits well above the national pay line for environmental science teachers, postsecondary, local pay runs about 14% higher than the U.S. median of $95K. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $2,471/month, which is 37.8% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost-of-living overall is 6% above the national average (BEA RPP 106.14), so groceries and services cost more too. The pay premium is real, but so are the offsets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level environmental science teachers, postsecondaries (10th percentile) start around $65K. Mid-career wages sit at $108K. Top earners bring in $169K or more, a $104K spread from bottom to top.
Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary salary by metro in California
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $102K | -6% | 70 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $95K | -12% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track environmental science teachers, postsecondary salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a environmental science teachers, postsecondary afford a 2BR apartment alone in California?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $108K, rent takes 37.8% 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 $2,000/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for environmental science teachers, postsecondaries in California?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new environmental science teachers, postsecondaries typically earn — is $65K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,915/month. At HUD’s $2,471/month FMR, rent would take 63% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is environmental science teachers, postsecondary a high-paying job in California?
Local pay is 14% above the national median — $108K here vs. $95K 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 environmental science teachers, postsecondaries?
California pays $108K median vs. the U.S. average of $95K — that’s +14%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 106.14), the purchasing-power equivalent is $102K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do environmental science teachers, postsecondaries make in California?
The median is $108,290 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $65,250, and experienced environmental science teachers, postsecondaries can clear $168,810. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $108K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,530/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,471/month, which eats 37.8% 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 environmental science 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 environmental science teachers, postsecondary salary is worth about $102,026 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do environmental science 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.