Physics Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in Santa Maria, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

Median annual salary $103,700 +6.5% vs national
Median hourly —
10th percentile $62,900
90th percentile $161,260
Employed locally 70
National median $97,360

Compare Physics Teachers, Postsecondary salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Santa Maria, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
in
Santa Maria, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $62,900
    25th
    $79,940
    50th (median)
    $103,700
    75th
    $132,490
    90th
    $161,260

    Santa Maria economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $95,977 2023 • Census ACS
    Physics Teachers, Postsecondary salary vs area income 108% Median Physics Teachers, Postsecondary salary is 8% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Knoxville, TN $139,180
    Lexington-Fayette, KY $138,980
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $138,210
    Ann Arbor, MI $135,700
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $135,370
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $128,580

    Nearby metros — Physics Teachers, Postsecondary salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $138,210
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $135,370
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $128,580
    California $128,190
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $128,190
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $127,080

    Related occupations in Santa Maria, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary $44,930
    Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education $100,060
    Postsecondary Teachers, All Other $79,400
    Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education $99,930
    Substitute Teachers, Short-Term $49,470
    Self-Enrichment Teachers $45,470

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Physics Teachers, Postsecondary make per hour in Santa Maria?

    The median hourly wage for Physics Teachers, Postsecondary in Santa Maria, CA is —, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make — or more per hour.

    Is Santa Maria above or below average for Physics Teachers, Postsecondary salaries?

    The median Physics Teachers, Postsecondary salary in Santa Maria, CA is 6.5% above the national median of $97,360. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Physics Teachers, Postsecondary in Santa Maria?

    Entry-level Physics Teachers, Postsecondary (10th percentile) earn around $62,900 per year in Santa Maria, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $79,940.