How much does a area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary make?
The median area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary in the United States earns $85,020 per year. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 25-1062.
Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary salary range
Pay for area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $52,070 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $160,420. The average (mean) wage of $98,330 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $52,070 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $65,660 | |
| Median (50th) | $85,020 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $110,710 | |
| 90th percentile | $160,420 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1062), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary earn the most in New Hampshire at $125,450 a year, and the least in Alabama at $63,090. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $125,450 | 80 |
| Kansas | $107,120 | 90 |
| California | $105,220 | 770 |
| Rhode Island | $104,460 | N/A |
| Maine | $103,060 | 50 |
| New York | $101,800 | 1,520 |
| District of Columbia | $101,700 | 230 |
| Massachusetts | $100,470 | 610 |
| Connecticut | $99,900 | 310 |
| New Jersey | $97,500 | 480 |
| Pennsylvania | $96,010 | 260 |
| Maryland | $91,330 | 520 |
| Illinois | $90,030 | 220 |
| Michigan | $87,840 | 460 |
| Virginia | $85,960 | 300 |
| Indiana | $84,970 | 260 |
| Utah | $82,990 | 40 |
| Alaska | $81,700 | 80 |
| Minnesota | $81,580 | 280 |
| Washington | $81,410 | 240 |
| Oregon | $80,310 | 340 |
| Ohio | $80,060 | 390 |
| Colorado | $79,190 | 160 |
| Wisconsin | $78,770 | 180 |
| Montana | $78,690 | 90 |
| Georgia | $77,630 | 450 |
| Oklahoma | $76,600 | 50 |
| Wyoming | $76,170 | 40 |
| Arizona | $75,680 | 240 |
| Tennessee | $75,060 | 60 |
| Kentucky | $74,690 | 90 |
| Texas | $72,250 | 830 |
| West Virginia | $71,200 | 40 |
| Florida | $66,520 | 120 |
| North Carolina | $66,470 | 590 |
| South Carolina | $64,500 | 130 |
| Alabama | $63,090 | 50 |
State median wages for area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1062), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary
The BLS projects employment of area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary to grow 2.7% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 14,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 14,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,000 openings a year for area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary
The typical entry-level education for area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary is a doctoral or professional degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary earns
District budget, level taught, degree, and region drive pay, along with years of service on a step-and-lane salary schedule. High cost metros and senior educators land near the top.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New Hampshire, $125,450) and the lowest (Alabama, $63,090) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 11,300 people work as area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary in the United States. At $85,020 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary salary FAQ
How much does an area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary make an hour?
Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary are generally salaried rather than paid by the hour, so the BLS does not publish an hourly wage for this job. The median annual salary is $85,020.
What is the highest area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary earn more than $160,420 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary make a year?
The median annual salary for an area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary is $85,020. The average (mean) wage of $98,330 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary a well paid job?
At $85,020 a year, an area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 11,300 people work as area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary in the United States.
Which state pays area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary the most?
New Hampshire has the highest median salary for area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary at $125,450 a year. Kansas ($107,120) and California ($105,220) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary a good career?
Employment of area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary is projected to grow 2.7% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary as a doctoral or professional degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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