Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
The median pay for a middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is $81,890/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $60K at the entry level to $107K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.8), so that salary is closer to $75,267 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,124/month — about 60.8% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $82K get you in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
About middle school teachers, except special and career/technical educations
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Entry-level middle school teachers, except special and career/technical educations (10th percentile) start around $60K. Mid-career wages sit at $82K.Top earners bring in $107K or more - a $47K spread from bottom to top.
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $99K | +57% | 11,110 |
| California | $97K | +54% | 46,530 |
| Rhode Island | $90K | +42% | 2,380 |
| Massachusetts | $84K | +34% | 16,480 |
| New York | $83K | +31% | 34,830 |
| Connecticut | $81K | +29% | 7,880 |
| District of Columbia | $78K | +24% | 1,510 |
| Oregon | $78K | +24% | 6,640 |
| New Jersey | $78K | +23% | 26,510 |
| Pennsylvania | $77K | +22% | 25,980 |
| Maryland | $76K | +21% | 11,700 |
| Alaska | $76K | +21% | 1,170 |
| Utah | $75K | +20% | 5,320 |
| New Mexico | $74K | +17% | 4,120 |
| Ohio | $67K | +6% | 26,780 |
Track middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Santa Maria-Santa Barbara numbers change.
Related careers in Education
Frequently asked questions
How much do middle school teachers, except special and career/technical educations make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median is $81,890 a year. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $60,340, and experienced middle school teachers, except special and career/technical educations can clear $106,890. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $82K enough to live in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,187/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,124/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 60.2% 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 middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education 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 middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education salary is worth about $75,267 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do middle school teachers, except special and career/technical educations 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.