Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary in the U.S. is $85,020, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $85,020
- Mean annual wage
- $98,330
- Median hourly wage
- —
- Employment
- 11,300
11,300 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $52,070 | — |
| 25th percentile | $65,660 | — |
| Median (50th) | $85,020 | — |
| 75th percentile | $110,710 | — |
| 90th percentile | $160,420 | — |
Highest-paying states for area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $125,450 | 80 |
| Kansas | $107,120 | 90 |
| California | $105,220 | 770 |
| Rhode Island | $104,460 | — |
| 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 |
Lowest-paying states
- Alabama: $63,090 median annual wage
- South Carolina: $64,500 median annual wage
- North Carolina: $66,470 median annual wage
- Florida: $66,520 median annual wage
- West Virginia: $71,200 median annual wage
About this occupation
Teach courses pertaining to the culture and development of an area, an ethnic group, or any other group, such as Latin American studies, women's studies, or urban affairs. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Typical tasks
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as race and ethnic relations, gender studies, and cross-cultural perspectives.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: Doctoral or professional degree
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 0.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.7% |
| Some college, no degree | 2.0% |
| Associate's degree | 1.5% |
| Bachelor's degree | 15.1% |
| Master's degree | 30.6% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 48.5% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Related occupations
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$36,780
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$63,970
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$72,040
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$64,370
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$41,670
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$38,140
- Self-Enrichment Teachers$46,800
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$65,120
About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.