Physics Teachers, Postsecondary salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn a median of $105,810 a year, based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $177,960 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $100,310. Pay here is 24% lower than the California statewide median of $139,420. There are 0.39 physics teachers, postsecondary per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $112,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physics teachers, postsecondary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,040 |
| 25th percentile | $85,150 |
| Median | $105,810 |
| 75th percentile | $134,170 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $177,960 |
| Average (mean) | $112,870 |
Half of physics 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 | $8,817.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,408.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,069.62 |
| Weekly | $2,034.81 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because physics 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.
Buying a home? On a $105,810 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $172,510 | 440 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $152,190 | 120 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $139,400 | 60 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $133,360 | 70 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $132,790 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for physics teachers, postsecondary
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $139,420 |
| Connecticut | $112,410 |
| Massachusetts | $111,280 |
| Maryland | $110,980 |
| Michigan | $109,090 |
| New Mexico | $108,850 |
| Delaware | $108,810 |
| Minnesota | $107,240 |
| Idaho | $106,040 |
| Virginia | $104,490 |
See Physics Teachers, Postsecondary pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-1054. 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 physics teachers, postsecondary make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median salary for physics teachers, postsecondary in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $105,810 a year. Pay ranges from $67,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $177,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physics teachers, postsecondary make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The top 10% of physics teachers, postsecondary in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn at least $177,960 a year. The top 25% earn $134,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for physics teachers, postsecondary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,040 a year, and a quarter of physics teachers, postsecondary earn $85,150 or less.
How many physics teachers, postsecondary work in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
About 80 physics teachers, postsecondary are employed in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.