Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn a median of $103,780 a year, based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,950 for the top 10%. That is 29% higher than the national median of $80,340. Pay here is 3% lower than the California statewide median of $107,340. There are 0.54 psychology teachers, postsecondary per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $102,640, close to the median.
Pay range for psychology teachers, postsecondary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,490 |
| 25th percentile | $82,750 |
| Median | $103,780 |
| 75th percentile | $128,040 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,950 |
| Average (mean) | $102,640 |
Half of psychology 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 | $8,648.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,324.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,991.54 |
| Weekly | $1,995.77 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because psychology 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 $103,780 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $137,810 | 400 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $133,880 | 230 |
| Fresno, CA | $133,490 | 150 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $129,610 | 330 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $126,690 | 360 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $126,080 | 40 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $105,720 | 440 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $101,980 | 1,830 |
Highest-paying states for psychology teachers, postsecondary
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $107,340 |
| Delaware | $102,340 |
| Maryland | $101,430 |
| District of Columbia | $101,250 |
| New York | $100,720 |
| Michigan | $99,900 |
| North Dakota | $97,110 |
| New Hampshire | $95,030 |
| Rhode Island | $94,360 |
| Utah | $93,090 |
See Psychology 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 25-1066. 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 psychology teachers, postsecondary make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median salary for psychology teachers, postsecondary in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $103,780 a year. Pay ranges from $63,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid psychology teachers, postsecondary make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The top 10% of psychology teachers, postsecondary in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn at least $138,950 a year. The top 25% earn $128,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for psychology teachers, postsecondary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,490 a year, and a quarter of psychology teachers, postsecondary earn $82,750 or less.
How many psychology teachers, postsecondary work in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
About 110 psychology teachers, postsecondary are employed in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.