Physics Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
The median pay for a physics teachers, postsecondary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA is $135,370/year, per BLS data. Entry-level workers start around $77K. (BLS did not publish a top-end figure for this area.) Prices run high here (RPP 111.89), so that salary is closer to $120,985 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,001/month — about 37.5% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $135K get you in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
About physics teachers, postsecondarys
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Entry-level physics teachers, postsecondarys (10th percentile) start around $77K. Mid-career wages sit at $135K.BLS did not publish 90th percentile data for this occupation in this area (sample size too small).
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $128K | +32% | 1,070 |
| Arizona | $122K | +25% | 170 |
| Connecticut | $119K | +23% | 230 |
| Montana | $106K | +9% | 60 |
| Michigan | $106K | +9% | 440 |
| New York | $105K | +8% | 1,140 |
| New Mexico | $104K | +7% | 60 |
| Minnesota | $103K | +6% | 250 |
| Kansas | $103K | +6% | 100 |
| Maryland | $103K | +6% | 300 |
| Maine | $102K | +5% | 60 |
| Indiana | $102K | +5% | 300 |
| Virginia | $100K | +3% | 610 |
| Iowa | $100K | +3% | 160 |
| Oregon | $99K | +2% | 140 |
Track physics teachers, postsecondary salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do physics teachers, postsecondarys make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median is $135,370 a year. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $77,140. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $135K enough to live in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,879/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,001/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 38.1% 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 physics teachers, postsecondary salary go in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad has a Regional Price Parity of 111.89 (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 physics teachers, postsecondary salary is worth about $120,985 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do physics 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.