Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
The median pay for a philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary in Salem, OR is $73,790/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $100K for experienced workers.
So what does $74K get you in Salem?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Salem’s Regional Price Parity (103.6). 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 philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondaries
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What this looks like in Salem
Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary pay in Salem tracks closely to the national median, $74K locally vs. $80K nationwide, a 8% difference. Rent runs $1,560/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 34.4% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 103.6) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondaries in metros near Salem, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro | $85K | , |
| Eugene-Springfield | $90K | , |
| Boise City | $59K | , |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $103K | , |
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 philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondaries (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $74K. Top earners bring in $100K or more, a $62K spread from bottom to top.
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $106K | +32% | 1,850 |
| Maine | $103K | +28% | 60 |
| Vermont | $103K | +28% | 80 |
| Hawaii | $101K | +26% | 220 |
| Connecticut | $100K | +25% | 350 |
| New Jersey | $99K | +24% | 900 |
| Massachusetts | $98K | +23% | 890 |
| Utah | $95K | +19% | 60 |
| New York | $92K | +15% | 1,700 |
| Michigan | $90K | +12% | 620 |
| Virginia | $85K | +6% | 620 |
| Oregon | $85K | +6% | 480 |
| New Hampshire | $83K | +3% | 130 |
| Rhode Island | $83K | +3% | 150 |
| Washington | $81K | +1% | 330 |
| Indiana | $80K | -1% | 480 |
| Minnesota | $80K | -1% | 410 |
| District of Columbia | $79K | -1% | 290 |
| Wisconsin | $79K | -1% | 420 |
| Arizona | $79K | -2% | 350 |
| Maryland | $78K | -2% | 480 |
| Colorado | $78K | -3% | 390 |
| Illinois | $78K | -3% | 1,080 |
| Georgia | $78K | -3% | 280 |
| South Carolina | $77K | -4% | 250 |
| Iowa | $77K | -4% | 260 |
| Ohio | $77K | -4% | 780 |
| Texas | $77K | -4% | 1,760 |
| Pennsylvania | $77K | -5% | 1,280 |
| North Carolina | $76K | -5% | 680 |
| Louisiana | $76K | -5% | 70 |
| Nebraska | $75K | -6% | 80 |
| Missouri | $75K | -6% | 320 |
| Arkansas | $74K | -8% | 60 |
| Tennessee | $74K | -8% | 490 |
| North Dakota | $71K | -11% | N/A |
| Kentucky | $66K | -18% | 320 |
| Kansas | $65K | -19% | 190 |
| Oklahoma | $65K | -19% | 150 |
| Mississippi | $64K | -21% | 90 |
| Florida | $63K | -21% | 460 |
| Alabama | $62K | -22% | 280 |
| South Dakota | $58K | -28% | 40 |
Showing 1–10 of 43 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Salem numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary afford a 2BR apartment alone in Salem?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $74K, rent takes 34.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,560/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,400/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondaries in Salem?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondaries typically earn — is $38K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,272/month. At HUD’s $1,560/month FMR, rent would take 69% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary a high-paying job in Salem?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $74K locally vs. $80K nationally, a 8% difference.
How does Salem compare to the national average for philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondaries?
Salem pays $74K median vs. the U.S. average of $80K — that’s -8%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 103.6), the purchasing-power equivalent is $71K — below the national median.
How much do philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondaries make in Salem, OR?
The median is $73,790 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $37,870, and experienced philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondaries can clear $99,690. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $74K enough to live in Salem?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,531/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,560/month, which eats 34.4% 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 philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary salary go in Salem?
Salem has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary salary is worth about $71,226 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do philosophy and religion 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.