Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teacher Salary in 2026
How Much Do Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers Make?
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers earn a median annual salary of $84,290 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $51,130 at the 10th percentile to $164,650 at the 90th percentile — a range of $113,520. The highest-paying state is California at $113,070.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $51,130 |
| 25th percentile | $64,320 |
| Median (50th) | $84,290 |
| 75th percentile | $107,810 |
| 90th percentile | $164,650 |
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teacher Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $113,070 |
| Vermont | $107,220 |
| Kansas | $102,800 |
| Rhode Island | $100,680 |
| Massachusetts | $99,630 |
| Connecticut | $98,660 |
| District of Columbia | $98,500 |
| New York | $97,140 |
| Illinois | $96,980 |
| Michigan | $96,070 |
| Pennsylvania | $95,660 |
| Maryland | $88,080 |
| New Jersey | $87,450 |
| Arizona | $87,140 |
| Virginia | $80,460 |
| Alaska | $80,370 |
| Washington | $79,660 |
| Minnesota | $78,660 |
| Nebraska | $78,640 |
| Indiana | $78,400 |
| Texas | $77,650 |
| Oregon | $77,070 |
| Montana | $76,670 |
| Wisconsin | $76,600 |
| Georgia | $75,250 |
| Ohio | $72,690 |
| Mississippi | $69,110 |
| North Carolina | $67,170 |
| Alabama | $67,060 |
| Colorado | $66,810 |
| Kentucky | $65,200 |
| Missouri | $65,170 |
| Utah | $64,890 |
| West Virginia | $63,530 |
| South Carolina | $63,000 |
| Florida | $61,920 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teacher Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$51,130 – $64,320 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$84,290 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$107,810 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $164,650+ |
How to Earn More as an Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teacher
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA earn $124,960 — $40,670 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($107,810) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
Want to see if a different career pays more for your skills? PathScorer maps your experience against hundreds of occupations and shows you where you're most competitive. Try it free →
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teacher Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teacherthis career | $84,290 |
| Anthropology and Archeology Teacher | $95,770 |
| Geography Teacher | $86,730 |
| Political Science Teacher | $94,680 |
| Psychology Teacher | $80,330 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
PathScorer compares your skills to Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teacher requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
See how your skills compare — freeFrequently Asked Questions
SOC: 25-1062.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.