Compensation
Median Pay
$85,020
National median annual wage for this occupation.
National Career Overview
Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary
Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
National Median Pay
$85,020
Projected Growth
2.4%
Annual Openings
1,100
Career outlook
National Snapshot
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National
Employment
14,500
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Outlook
Projected Growth
2.4%
Projected employment change through 2034.
Opportunity
Annual Openings
1,100
Estimated openings created each year.
Pathway
Preparation
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
STEP 1
Education
Doctoral or professional degree
STEP 2
Experience
None
STEP 3
Training
None
Top Skills for Success
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Speaking & listening
96 / 100
96%
Creativity & innovation
95 / 100
95%
Writing & reading
91 / 100
91%
Project management
82 / 100
82%
Leadership
81 / 100
81%
Adaptability
79 / 100
79%
Critical & analytical thinking
79 / 100
79%
Computers & information technology
71 / 100
71%
Interpersonal
69 / 100
69%
Problem solving & decision making
67 / 100
67%
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Location Intelligence
Best Places for This Career
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
PRO
Best Metro Areas
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
- Top-paying cities
- Fast-growing markets
- Local opportunity rankings
CAREERGPS INSIGHTS
Career Analysis for Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Is Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary a Good Career?
Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary, work in an academic setting focusing on cultures, regions, or groups. This career combines teaching, scholarship, and leadership in the classroom and broader campus community. Nationally, about 14,000 people work in this occupation, with a median annual salary of $84,290. Employment is projected to grow 2.4%, with about 1,000 annual openings, indicating a steady stream of opportunities from new positions and turnover. Successful professionals in this field typically bring strong speaking and listening abilities, creativity and innovation, and excellent writing and reading skills. They also rely on critical and analytical thinking, problem solving and decision making, and solid interpersonal strengths to work with students and colleagues. For those interested in academic careers centered on culture and identity, this role offers a defined professional path, clear educational expectations, and a mix of intellectual, communication, and leadership demands.
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary, earn a national median annual salary of $84,290, providing a solid earning foundation for an academic career. Pay levels vary meaningfully by state and metro. Among the top states by opportunity score, median salaries range from $79,190 in Colorado to $105,220 in California, with New York and Massachusetts also above $100,000. In Washington, the median salary is $81,410. At the metro level, pay can be even higher in some areas. The San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro shows a median salary of $129,270, while San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA reports $125,890. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro has a median of $103,700, and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV reports $101,700. These patterns suggest that location choices can significantly influence earning potential within this field.
Job Outlook for Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
Nationally, area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary, account for about 14,000 jobs. Employment in this occupation is projected to grow by 2.4%. In addition to growth, there are an estimated 1,000 annual openings, reflecting both new positions and replacement needs. This combination indicates continuing demand and regular turnover, which can create opportunities for new entrants and for those advancing within the field. The uniform 2.4% growth rate reported across top states and metro areas suggests that expectations for expansion are consistent in many of the locations highlighted as strong opportunities. For students and career changers planning several years ahead, the presence of measurable projected growth and recurring openings provides a clearer path for long-term career planning. Overall, the data point to a stable academic field with ongoing hiring activity rather than a rapidly contracting or dramatically expanding occupation.
Where Are the Best Opportunities for Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary?
Geography plays a significant role in opportunity for area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary. Among states, California, Massachusetts, and New York show the highest CareerGPS opportunity scores, all above 65, with median salaries at or above $100,470 and employment ranging from 610 in Massachusetts to 1,520 in New York. California combines the highest median state salary at $105,220 with employment of 770. Colorado and Washington also appear as strong options, with opportunity scores in the mid-50s and median salaries near or above $80,000. At the metro level, several areas stand out even more. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ both have opportunity scores above 77, the highest reported, with median salaries of $129,270 and $103,700, respectively. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA also offers a very high median salary of $125,890. These differences show that both salary and opportunity scores can vary substantially between states and metros, giving candidates multiple ways to target preferred regions.
Education for Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
The typical education requirement for area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary, is a doctoral or professional degree. This reflects the advanced level of scholarship and teaching expected in higher education settings. Preparing for this path usually involves extensive study and research leading to a terminal degree aligned with area, ethnic, or cultural studies. Beyond formal education, success in this career relies on a broad mix of skills. Strong speaking and listening abilities support effective classroom instruction and student interaction, while writing and reading are central to academic communication and scholarship. Critical and analytical thinking, along with problem solving and decision making, underpin research and curriculum development. Creativity and innovation help shape courses and programs, and leadership and project management skills support academic initiatives and collaboration. Adaptability, interpersonal strengths, and comfort with computers and information technology round out a skill profile suited to evolving academic environments.
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