Geography Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
The median pay for a geography teachers, postsecondary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is $169,670/year, per BLS data. Entry-level workers start around $69K. (BLS did not publish a top-end figure for this area.) Prices run high here (RPP 108.8), so that salary is closer to $155,947 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,124/month — about 31.2% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $170K get you in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
About geography teachers, postsecondarys
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Entry-level geography teachers, postsecondarys (10th percentile) start around $69K. Mid-career wages sit at $170K.BLS did not publish 90th percentile data for this occupation in this area (sample size too small).
Geography Teachers, Postsecondary pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $162K | +87% | 330 |
| Oregon | $124K | +43% | 100 |
| Vermont | $104K | +20% | 40 |
| Maryland | $100K | +15% | 100 |
| South Carolina | $99K | +14% | 40 |
| Massachusetts | $98K | +13% | 60 |
| New York | $98K | +13% | 200 |
| Texas | $96K | +10% | 250 |
| Minnesota | $94K | +9% | 100 |
| Illinois | $87K | +1% | 140 |
| Connecticut | $87K | +0% | 40 |
| Ohio | $86K | -1% | 100 |
| New Mexico | $85K | -1% | 40 |
| Virginia | $85K | -2% | 70 |
| Iowa | $85K | -2% | 30 |
Track geography 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 geography teachers, postsecondarys make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median is $169,670 a year. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $68,520. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $170K enough to live in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,567/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,124/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 32.7% 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 geography 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 geography teachers, postsecondary salary is worth about $155,947 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do geography teachers, postsecondarys 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.