SOC 25-1062 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary — San Diego
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA · 5 metro areas compared
In San Diego, CA the median wage for Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary reaches $118,970 a year.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In San Diego, CA the median wage for Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary reaches $118,970 a year. That is 39.9% more than the national median of $85,020. Pay ranges from under $82,280 at the tenth percentile to more than $212,840 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $98,440 to $156,680.
The area has 90 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.80 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Santa Maria records the highest median at $145,530. Of the 671 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 116th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $82,280 | −3.2% |
| 25th | $98,440 | +15.8% |
| Median (50th) | $118,970 | +39.9% |
| 75th | $156,680 | +84.3% |
| 90th | $212,840 | +150.3% |
| Mean | $132,150 | +55.4% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Maria | $145,530 | 40 | |
| 2 | San Jose | $129,270 | 40 | |
| 3 | San Francisco | $125,890 | 50 | |
| 4 | Sacramento | $104,410 | 70 | |
| 5 | Los Angeles | $102,030 | 310 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in San Diego run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $118,970 buys what $107,471 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 26.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$118,970as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$107,471US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $118,970 a year, 39.9% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $82,280 to $212,840 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 90 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Santa Maria, at $145,530.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary in San Diego, CA?
The median annual wage is $118,970, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $85,020, so pay in San Diego, CA is 39.9% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in San Diego, CA earns more than $212,840 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $82,280 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Santa Maria, at $145,530 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 90 jobs in this occupation in San Diego, CA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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