How much does a psychology teacher make?
The median psychology teacher in the United States earns $80,340 per year. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all psychology teachers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 25-1066.
Psychology teacher salary range
Pay for psychology teachers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $49,050 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $153,600. The average (mean) wage of $93,860 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 | $49,050 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $63,400 | |
| Median (50th) | $80,340 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $105,920 | |
| 90th percentile | $153,600 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for psychology teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1066), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Psychology teacher salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Psychology teachers earn the most in California at $107,340 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $60,730. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $107,340 | 4,410 |
| Delaware | $102,340 | N/A |
| Maryland | $101,430 | 640 |
| District of Columbia | $101,250 | 340 |
| New York | $100,720 | 4,070 |
| Michigan | $99,900 | 920 |
| North Dakota | $97,110 | 60 |
| New Hampshire | $95,030 | 110 |
| Rhode Island | $94,360 | 180 |
| Utah | $93,090 | 200 |
| Louisiana | $91,340 | 140 |
| Connecticut | $84,500 | 920 |
| New Mexico | $83,600 | 100 |
| Idaho | $83,010 | 180 |
| Massachusetts | $82,930 | 2,640 |
| Minnesota | $82,640 | 760 |
| Maine | $81,660 | 110 |
| Nevada | $81,300 | 140 |
| Vermont | $81,100 | 100 |
| New Jersey | $80,790 | 1,630 |
| Oregon | $80,060 | 660 |
| Kansas | $79,730 | 230 |
| Georgia | $79,440 | 820 |
| Missouri | $79,240 | 590 |
| Alaska | $79,040 | 70 |
| Arizona | $78,610 | 940 |
| Ohio | $78,530 | 1,500 |
| Iowa | $78,450 | 320 |
| Washington | $78,330 | 840 |
| Virginia | $77,950 | 1,050 |
| Illinois | $77,860 | 2,260 |
| Indiana | $77,820 | 760 |
| Wisconsin | $77,580 | 630 |
| Nebraska | $77,340 | 170 |
| Montana | $77,120 | 90 |
| Texas | $77,060 | 3,380 |
| Colorado | $76,810 | 960 |
| Tennessee | $76,010 | 790 |
| Pennsylvania | $75,960 | 2,120 |
| Alabama | $75,340 | 610 |
| North Carolina | $75,260 | 1,100 |
| South Carolina | $74,890 | 390 |
| Kentucky | $74,520 | 590 |
| West Virginia | $74,280 | 150 |
| Florida | $69,050 | 1,120 |
| Wyoming | $65,050 | 80 |
| South Dakota | $65,020 | 70 |
| Mississippi | $62,590 | 260 |
| Oklahoma | $61,720 | 410 |
| Arkansas | $60,730 | 190 |
State median wages for psychology teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1066), 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 psychology teachers
The BLS projects employment of psychology teachers to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 52,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 54,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 3,700 openings a year for psychology teachers. 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 a psychology teacher
The typical entry-level education for psychology teachers 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 a psychology teacher 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 (California, $107,340) and the lowest (Arkansas, $60,730) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 41,530 people work as psychology teachers in the United States. At $80,340 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Psychology teacher salary FAQ
How much does a psychology teacher make an hour?
Psychology teachers 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 $80,340.
What is the highest psychology teacher salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of psychology teachers earn more than $153,600 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a psychology teacher make a year?
The median annual salary for a psychology teacher is $80,340. The average (mean) wage of $93,860 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a psychology teacher a well paid job?
At $80,340 a year, a psychology teacher earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 41,530 people work as psychology teachers in the United States.
Which state pays psychology teachers the most?
California has the highest median salary for psychology teachers at $107,340 a year. Delaware ($102,340) and Maryland ($101,430) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a psychology teacher a good career?
Employment of psychology teachers is projected to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 3,700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a psychology teacher?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for psychology teachers as a doctoral or professional degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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