Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondaries in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA make a median of $78,170 a year. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $212K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.8), so that salary is closer to $71,847 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,124/month — about 61.2% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $78K get you in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Santa Maria-Santa Barbara’s Regional Price Parity (108.8). 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 recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondaries
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Entry-level recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondaries (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $78K. Top earners bring in $212K or more, a $172K spread from bottom to top.
Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $130K | +72% | 1,900 |
| Arizona | $95K | +25% | 90 |
| New York | $83K | +9% | 790 |
| Nebraska | $82K | +9% | N/A |
| Idaho | $82K | +8% | 40 |
| Maryland | $81K | +7% | 130 |
| Michigan | $80K | +6% | 330 |
| Massachusetts | $80K | +6% | 270 |
| Tennessee | $79K | +5% | 150 |
| South Carolina | $78K | +3% | 380 |
| Minnesota | $77K | +2% | 250 |
| Missouri | $77K | +1% | 210 |
| Illinois | $76K | -0% | 530 |
| Texas | $76K | -0% | 1,460 |
| Oregon | $75K | -1% | 360 |
| New Mexico | $75K | -1% | 40 |
| Pennsylvania | $72K | -5% | 550 |
| Connecticut | $71K | -6% | 200 |
| New Jersey | $70K | -8% | 270 |
| Oklahoma | $69K | -9% | 110 |
| Florida | $68K | -10% | 80 |
| Washington | $67K | -12% | 280 |
| Alabama | $66K | -13% | 150 |
| New Hampshire | $66K | -13% | 70 |
| Wyoming | $65K | -14% | 30 |
| Wisconsin | $65K | -14% | 60 |
| Maine | $65K | -14% | N/A |
| West Virginia | $64K | -15% | 150 |
| Iowa | $64K | -15% | 150 |
| Mississippi | $64K | -15% | 190 |
| Indiana | $64K | -16% | 430 |
| Louisiana | $64K | -16% | 80 |
| North Carolina | $63K | -16% | 740 |
| Georgia | $63K | -17% | 190 |
| Kentucky | $63K | -17% | 210 |
| Arkansas | $61K | -19% | 190 |
| Ohio | $61K | -20% | 460 |
| North Dakota | $60K | -21% | 40 |
| South Dakota | $60K | -21% | 60 |
| Kansas | $59K | -22% | 80 |
| Virginia | $58K | -24% | 340 |
| Utah | $56K | -27% | 190 |
Showing 1–10 of 42 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track recreation and fitness studies 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 recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondaries make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median is $78,170 a year, that works out to about $0 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $40,320, and experienced recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondaries can clear $211,930. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $78K enough to live in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,998/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,124/month, which eats 62.5% 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 recreation and fitness studies 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 recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary salary is worth about $71,847 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do recreation and fitness studies 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.