Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other Salary
The median pay for a social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all other in California is $132,920/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $64K at the entry level to $219K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 106.14), so that salary is closer to $125,231 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,471/month, about 31.5% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across California. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $133K get you in California?
About social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all others
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What this looks like in California
California sits well above the national pay line for social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all other, local pay runs about 82% higher than the U.S. median of $73K. Rent runs $2,471/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 31.8% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost-of-living overall is 6% above the national average (BEA RPP 106.14), so groceries and services cost more too. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all others (10th percentile) start around $64K. Mid-career wages sit at $133K. Top earners bring in $219K or more, a $155K spread from bottom to top.
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other salary by metro in California
6 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $180K | +36% | 180 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $170K | +28% | 290 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $170K | +28% | 50 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $150K | +13% | 100 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $133K | +0% | 1,450 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $103K | -23% | 270 |
Compare to other states
Track social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all other salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all other afford a 2BR apartment alone in California?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $133K, rent takes 31.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,471/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $2,300/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all others in California?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all others typically earn — is $64K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,831/month. At HUD’s $2,471/month FMR, rent would take 65% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all other a high-paying job in California?
Local pay is 82% above the national median — $133K here vs. $73K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 6% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does California compare to the national average for social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all others?
California pays $133K median vs. the U.S. average of $73K — that’s +82%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 106.14), the purchasing-power equivalent is $125K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all others make in California?
The median is $132,920 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $63,850, and experienced social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all others can clear $219,230. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $133K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,759/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,471/month, which eats 31.8% 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 social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all other salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 106.14 (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 social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all other salary is worth about $125,231 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all others 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.