Geography Teachers, Postsecondary salary in California
Geography Teachers, Postsecondary in California earn a median of $146,040 a year, based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $70,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $250,700 for the top 10%. That is 50% higher than the national median of $97,590. California ranks 1st of 28 states for geography teachers, postsecondary pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.02 geography teachers, postsecondary per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $155,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for geography teachers, postsecondary in California
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $70,410 |
| 25th percentile | $112,980 |
| Median | $146,040 |
| 75th percentile | $192,800 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $250,700 |
| Average (mean) | $155,320 |
Half of geography teachers, postsecondary earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $12,170 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,085 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,616.92 |
| Weekly | $2,808.46 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because geography teachers, postsecondary are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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Geography Teachers, Postsecondary salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $146,040 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for geography teachers, postsecondary
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $146,040 |
| Oregon | $113,500 |
| Vermont | $107,790 |
| Connecticut | $105,470 |
| Maryland | $103,430 |
| Massachusetts | $101,870 |
| Illinois | $100,790 |
| New York | $100,420 |
| Texas | $99,510 |
| Pennsylvania | $97,120 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $100,690 | — |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $165,110 | — |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $76,630 | $36.84 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $99,410 | — |
| Law Teachers, Postsecondary | $119,540 | — |
| Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary | $81,960 | — |
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $130,490 | — |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $128,470 | — |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | $107,340 | — |
| Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $130,680 | — |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $129,150 | — |
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | $135,000 | — |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $111,850 | — |
| Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other | $132,920 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-1064. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a geography teachers, postsecondary make in California?
The median salary for geography teachers, postsecondary in California is $146,040 a year. Pay ranges from $70,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $250,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid geography teachers, postsecondary make in California?
The top 10% of geography teachers, postsecondary in California earn at least $250,700 a year. The top 25% earn $192,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for geography teachers, postsecondary in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $70,410 a year, and a quarter of geography teachers, postsecondary earn $112,980 or less.
How many geography teachers, postsecondary work in California?
About 280 geography teachers, postsecondary are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.