Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary salary in California
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary in California earn a median of $105,820 a year, based on BLS data for 1,850 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $206,110 for the top 10%. That is 32% higher than the national median of $80,260. California ranks 1st of 43 states for philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.10 philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $125,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary in California
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,070 |
| 25th percentile | $89,530 |
| Median | $105,820 |
| 75th percentile | $153,940 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $206,110 |
| Average (mean) | $125,540 |
Half of philosophy and religion 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 | $8,818.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,409.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,070 |
| Weekly | $2,035 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because philosophy and religion 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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Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $123,650 | 120 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $122,700 | 90 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $119,530 | 130 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $116,720 | 80 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $103,320 | 670 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $103,140 | 130 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $100,140 | 370 |
Highest-paying states for philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $105,820 |
| Maine | $102,760 |
| Vermont | $102,600 |
| Hawaii | $101,010 |
| Connecticut | $100,360 |
| New Jersey | $99,450 |
| Massachusetts | $98,360 |
| Utah | $95,410 |
| New York | $92,050 |
| Michigan | $89,610 |
See Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary pay in every state.
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 25-1126. 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 philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary make in California?
The median salary for philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary in California is $105,820 a year. Pay ranges from $75,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $206,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary make in California?
The top 10% of philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary in California earn at least $206,110 a year. The top 25% earn $153,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,070 a year, and a quarter of philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary earn $89,530 or less.
How many philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary work in California?
About 1,850 philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.