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English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in California

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How much do English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary make in California?

Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

$130,490
Median Annual Salary
▼ -0.1% vs 2024
$134,950
Mean Salary
$130,490
Median Salary
$62.74
Hourly Rate
5,460 people work as English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in California

English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary salary by percentile in California

BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).

English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary salary in California — 2025 BLS percentilesHorizontal bars showing 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentile annual salaries for English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in California.10thBottom 10% earn less than $62,360$62,36025th25% earn less than $95,900$95,900MedianHalf earn more than $130,490$130,49075th75% earn less than $167,640$167,64090thTop 10% earn more than $216,190$216,190

English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in California earn a median salary of $130,490 per year ($10,874/month). This is 72.5% above the national average of $75,639. California ranks #1 out of 49 states for English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary pay. Approximately 5,460 people work in this occupation across California. Salaries decreased by 0.1% compared to 2024.

About This Job: English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in English language and literature, including linguistics and comparative literature. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Top Skills

Reading Comprehension
4.75
Instructing
4.62
Writing
4.25
Speaking
4.12
Active Listening
4.0

Key Knowledge Areas

English Language
4.71
Education and Training
4.47
Communications and Media
4.07
History and Archeology
3.75
Philosophy and Theology
3.72
Typical Education: Doctoral Degree (58.4% of workers)

Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

Salary Range: English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in California

Salaries for English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in California range from $62,360 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $216,190 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $95,900 and $167,640.

Median $130,490
P10: $62,360 P25: $95,900 P75: $167,640 P90: $216,190
10th
$62,360
25th
$95,900
Median
$130,490
75th
$167,640
90th
$216,190
Percentile Annual Salary Hourly Rate Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level) $62,360 $29.98 $5,196
25th Percentile $95,900 $46.11 $7,991
Median (50th) $130,490 $62.74 $10,874
75th Percentile $167,640 $80.60 $13,970
90th Percentile (Experienced) $216,190 $103.94 $18,015

Note: The mean (average) salary of $134,950 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.

📊 How Does This Compare?

#1
California ranks #1 of 49 states
$75,639
National avg. for English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
+72.5%
vs. national average
Above Average

What does this salary really buy? See English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary salary in California adjusted for cost of living →

How much do you actually take home? See English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary take-home pay in California after taxes →

Explore English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary Data in California

After-Tax Take-Home Pay Hourly Wage Breakdown Cost-of-Living Adjusted Entry-Level vs Senior Salary Employment Outlook & Job Demand

English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary Salary by State

Compare English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary pay across states — sorted by highest median salary.

New Hampshire $98,650 Connecticut $97,310 Delaware $97,100 Oregon $91,870 Michigan $90,240 Vermont $86,870 Nevada $85,830 New York $84,850 Maine $84,290 Minnesota $84,200

View all 50 states →

Related Careers in California

Explore similar occupations and their salaries in California.

TutorsSimilar $45,100 Teaching Assistants, Except PostsecondarySimilar $46,490 Preschool Teachers, Except Special EducationSimilar $47,400 Teaching Assistants, PostsecondarySimilar $49,140 Self-Enrichment TeachersSimilar $49,570 Library TechniciansSimilar $53,260 Special Education Teachers, PreschoolSimilar $59,550 Substitute Teachers, Short-TermSimilar $60,300 Museum Technicians and ConservatorsSimilar $61,550 Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, PostsecondarySimilar $61,730

View all jobs in California →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary make in California?
The median annual salary for English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in California is $130,490 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $134,950.
What is the salary range for a English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in California?
Salaries for English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in California range from $62,360 at the 10th percentile to $216,190 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $95,900 and $167,640.
What is the starting salary for a English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in California?
Entry-level English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary positions in California typically start around $62,360 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $95,900 (25th percentile).
How many people work as English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in California?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 5,460 people are employed as English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in California.
What is the hourly rate for a English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in California?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in California is approximately $62.74 per hour.

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More About California

Salary Data
All Salaries in California Average Salary in California Highest Paying Jobs in California
Salary Thresholds
Jobs Over $100K in California $100K+ Jobs Without a Degree in California
Top Cities in California
Los Angeles San Diego San Jose San Francisco
Top Colleges in California
Academy of Art University Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences College of Alameda Allan Hancock College

Data Source & Methodology

Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.

Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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