SOC 25-2032 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School — Santa Maria
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA · 10 metro areas compared
At $126,160 a year, the median wage for Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School in Santa Maria, CA sits 90.4% above the national figure of $66,270.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $126,160 a year, the median wage for Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School in Santa Maria, CA sits 90.4% above the national figure of $66,270. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $102,200 and $126,170. The lowest tenth earn under $81,180, while the highest tenth earn more than $126,170.
Within the state, Fresno records the highest median at $105,570. Of the 433 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 57th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $81,180 | +22.5% |
| 25th | $102,200 | +54.2% |
| Median (50th) | $126,160 | +90.4% |
| 75th | $126,170 | +90.4% |
| 90th | $126,170 | +90.4% |
| Mean | $111,070 | +67.6% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fresno | $105,570 | 260 | |
| 2 | San Francisco | $101,800 | — | |
| 3 | Modesto | $96,940 | 120 | |
| 4 | San Jose | $96,250 | 110 | |
| 5 | Merced | $93,780 | 40 | |
| 6 | El Centro | $85,680 | 40 | |
| 7 | Los Angeles | $81,950 | 810 | |
| 8 | San Diego | $80,210 | 280 | |
| 9 | Santa Cruz | $80,100 | 50 | |
| 10 | Sacramento | $80,060 | 110 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Santa Maria run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $126,160 buys what $113,966 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 72.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$126,160as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$113,966US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $126,160 a year, 90.4% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $81,180 to $126,170 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Fresno, at $105,570.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School in Santa Maria, CA?
The median annual wage is $126,160, 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 $66,270, so pay in Santa Maria, CA is 90.4% 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 Santa Maria, CA earns more than $126,170 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $81,180 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 Fresno, at $105,570 per year.
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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