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Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in California

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

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

Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

$99,860
Median Annual Salary
▼ -6.1% vs 2024
$116,230
Mean Salary
$99,860
Median Salary
$48.01
Hourly Rate
2,170 people work as Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in California

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

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

Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary salary in California — 2025 BLS percentilesHorizontal bars showing 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentile annual salaries for Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in California.10thBottom 10% earn less than $45,580$45,58025th25% earn less than $64,680$64,680MedianHalf earn more than $99,860$99,86075th75% earn less than $166,400$166,40090thTop 10% earn more than $208,410$208,410

Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in California earn a median salary of $99,860 per year ($8,321/month). This is 27.2% above the national average of $78,479. California ranks #3 out of 45 states for Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary pay. Approximately 2,170 people work in this occupation across California. Salaries decreased by 6.1% compared to 2024.

About This Job: Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach languages and literature courses in languages other than English. Includes teachers of American Sign Language (ASL). Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Top Skills

Speaking
4.12
Reading Comprehension
4.0
Active Listening
4.0
Writing
4.0
Learning Strategies
4.0

Key Knowledge Areas

Foreign Language
5.0
English Language
4.37
Education and Training
4.09
History and Archeology
3.31
Philosophy and Theology
3.25
Typical Education: Doctoral Degree (73.4% of workers)

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

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

Salaries for Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in California range from $45,580 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $208,410 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $64,680 and $166,400.

Median $99,860
P10: $45,580 P25: $64,680 P75: $166,400 P90: $208,410
10th
$45,580
25th
$64,680
Median
$99,860
75th
$166,400
90th
$208,410
Percentile Annual Salary Hourly Rate Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level) $45,580 $21.91 $3,798
25th Percentile $64,680 $31.10 $5,390
Median (50th) $99,860 $48.01 $8,321
75th Percentile $166,400 $80.00 $13,866
90th Percentile (Experienced) $208,410 $100.20 $17,367

Note: The mean (average) salary of $116,230 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.

📊 How Does This Compare?

#3
California ranks #3 of 45 states
$78,479
National avg. for Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
+27.2%
vs. national average
Above Average

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

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

Explore Foreign 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

Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary Salary by State

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

New Hampshire $101,750 Delaware $101,100 Massachusetts $98,750 Maine $96,970 New York $95,120 Oregon $91,670 Maryland $87,280 Nevada $84,980 Michigan $83,190 Illinois $81,530

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 Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary make in California?
The median annual salary for Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in California is $99,860 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $116,230.
What is the salary range for a Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in California?
Salaries for Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in California range from $45,580 at the 10th percentile to $208,410 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $64,680 and $166,400.
What is the starting salary for a Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in California?
Entry-level Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary positions in California typically start around $45,580 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $64,680 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in California?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 2,170 people are employed as Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in California.
What is the hourly rate for a Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in California?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in California is approximately $48.01 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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