GeraJobs / US Real Pay Index / English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
Best States to Be a English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
After 2025 state income tax and 2024 cost of living, a english language and literature teachers, postsecondary salary goes furthest in California — a $130,490 BLS median worth $110,618 in real terms (Gera US Real Pay Index 147.2).
Which US states are best for a english language and literature teachers, postsecondary after cost of living and tax?
For a english language and literature teachers, postsecondary, the Gera US Real Pay Index ranks California #1: a $130,490 BLS median becomes $110,618 in cost-of-living-and-tax-adjusted terms (index 147.2). Florida ranks last ($57,768, index 76.9). Real BLS OEWS May 2025 across 49 states; re-dated annually.
Gera US Real Pay Index
California ranks #1 of 49 states for a english language and literature teachers, postsecondary. Index 100 = the average state; 147.2 means pay goes 47.2% further after tax and cost of living.
How this is calculatedEnglish Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary — real pay by state (best first)
| # | State | BLS median | State tax | Cost (RPP) | Real pay | Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $130,490 | $8,014 | 110.7 | $110,618 | 147.2 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | $98,650 | — | 104.2 | $94,706 | 126.0 |
| 3 | Delaware | $97,100 | $5,068 | 99.8 | $92,209 | 122.7 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $97,310 | $3,777 | 103.6 | $90,274 | 120.1 |
| 5 | Michigan | $90,240 | $3,589 | 96.2 | $90,058 | 119.8 |
| 6 | Iowa | $79,720 | $2,989 | 87.8 | $87,430 | 116.3 |
| 7 | Nevada | $85,830 | — | 100.0 | $85,848 | 114.2 |
| 8 | Vermont | $86,870 | $3,352 | 98.0 | $85,259 | 113.4 |
| 9 | Nebraska | $78,450 | $2,983 | 90.1 | $83,756 | 111.4 |
| 10 | Maine | $84,290 | $4,078 | 97.0 | $82,651 | 110.0 |
| 11 | Wisconsin | $80,800 | $3,130 | 94.1 | $82,544 | 109.8 |
| 12 | Oregon | $91,870 | $7,235 | 103.4 | $81,883 | 109.0 |
| 13 | Texas | $78,900 | — | 97.1 | $81,292 | 108.2 |
| 14 | Minnesota | $84,200 | $4,237 | 98.6 | $81,081 | 107.9 |
| 15 | Alaska | $82,770 | — | 102.4 | $80,862 | 107.6 |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | $80,670 | $2,477 | 97.6 | $80,139 | 106.6 |
| 17 | Missouri | $73,070 | $2,553 | 90.8 | $77,647 | 103.3 |
| 18 | Maryland | $83,760 | $3,646 | 105.0 | $76,329 | 101.6 |
| 19 | Massachusetts | $83,980 | $3,979 | 105.8 | $75,646 | 100.7 |
| 20 | Rhode Island | $79,190 | $2,370 | 102.3 | $75,108 | 99.9 |
| 21 | Arizona | $76,990 | $1,450 | 100.7 | $75,032 | 99.8 |
| 22 | New York | $84,850 | $4,062 | 107.9 | $74,859 | 99.6 |
| 23 | Washington | $79,840 | — | 107.0 | $74,608 | 99.3 |
| 24 | Montana | $73,160 | $3,178 | 94.6 | $73,941 | 98.4 |
| 25 | Illinois | $77,570 | $3,699 | 100.0 | $73,902 | 98.3 |
| 26 | Indiana | $69,180 | $2,045 | 93.3 | $71,933 | 95.7 |
| 27 | North Dakota | $63,690 | $4 | 89.0 | $71,590 | 95.3 |
| 28 | District of Columbia | $82,300 | $4,121 | 109.9 | $71,136 | 94.7 |
| 29 | South Dakota | $62,960 | — | 88.6 | $71,072 | 94.6 |
| 30 | Utah | $73,280 | $3,334 | 98.9 | $70,749 | 94.1 |
| 31 | Tennessee | $64,220 | — | 91.9 | $69,903 | 93.0 |
| 32 | New Mexico | $66,450 | $2,009 | 92.2 | $69,883 | 93.0 |
| 33 | New Jersey | $78,760 | $2,827 | 108.8 | $69,788 | 92.9 |
| 34 | Kentucky | $65,090 | $2,473 | 90.2 | $69,452 | 92.4 |
| 35 | Ohio | $65,140 | $1,009 | 92.8 | $69,126 | 92.0 |
| 36 | West Virginia | $63,280 | $2,115 | 89.5 | $68,343 | 90.9 |
| 37 | Colorado | $72,910 | $2,548 | 103.1 | $68,278 | 90.8 |
| 38 | Mississippi | $60,680 | $1,865 | 87.0 | $67,640 | 90.0 |
| 39 | Alabama | $62,910 | $2,881 | 88.8 | $67,583 | 89.9 |
| 40 | Wyoming | $62,030 | — | 92.7 | $66,921 | 89.0 |
| 41 | Louisiana | $60,350 | $1,436 | 88.2 | $66,791 | 88.9 |
| 42 | Kansas | $62,340 | $2,679 | 90.1 | $66,240 | 88.1 |
| 43 | South Carolina | $64,470 | $2,390 | 93.7 | $66,220 | 88.1 |
| 44 | Georgia | $65,530 | $2,885 | 96.3 | $65,056 | 86.6 |
| 45 | North Carolina | $63,370 | $2,151 | 94.3 | $64,901 | 86.4 |
| 46 | Virginia | $67,330 | $3,072 | 101.1 | $63,557 | 84.6 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $56,520 | $1,996 | 86.9 | $62,717 | 83.4 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $53,200 | $1,989 | 87.8 | $58,298 | 77.6 |
| 49 | Florida | $59,740 | — | 103.4 | $57,768 | 76.9 |
"Real pay" = BLS median − 2025 state income tax, divided by the state's 2024 BEA cost of living (US = 100). Only the 49 states for which BLS publishes a median for this occupation are ranked; suppressed cells are excluded, never set to zero.
Where does your salary go furthest?
Enter a salary and a state. We adjust for 2025 state income tax and the 2024 BEA cost of living to show your real, purchasing-power-equivalent pay — then rank every state.
In California, a $130,490 salary is worth about $102,181 in cost-of-living-and-tax-adjusted terms.
State income tax $17,355 (≈ top marginal 13.30% (upper bound)) · take-home $113,135 · BEA cost of living 110.7 (US = 100).
The same salary goes furthest in South Dakota — worth $147,303, a $45,122 gain over California.
| # | State | Real value | Cost (RPP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Dakota | $147,303 | 88.6 |
| 2 | Arkansas | $144,243 | 86.9 |
| 3 | Louisiana | $143,498 | 88.2 |
| 4 | Mississippi | $143,467 | 87.0 |
| 5 | Iowa | $143,036 | 87.8 |
| 6 | North Dakota | $143,018 | 89.0 |
| 7 | Tennessee | $142,038 | 91.9 |
| 8 | Oklahoma | $141,493 | 87.8 |
| 9 | Wyoming | $140,780 | 92.7 |
| 10 | Alabama | $139,565 | 88.8 |
| 11 | Kentucky | $138,944 | 90.2 |
| 12 | West Virginia | $138,776 | 89.5 |
Estimate only. State income tax is approximated from each state's 2025 flat rate (or top marginal rate as an upper bound for graduated states) and ignores federal tax, deductions and credits. The pre-published occupation and state pages use exact 2025 bracket math. Cost of living is the 2024 BEA Regional Price Parity (All Items).
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary — real pay FAQ
- What is the best state to be a english language and literature teachers, postsecondary?
- By the Gera US Real Pay Index, California is the best state for a english language and literature teachers, postsecondary: a BLS median of $130,490 is worth $110,618 after the 2025 state income tax ($8,014) and the 2024 BEA cost-of-living adjustment (RPP 110.7), an index of 147.2 where the average state is 100.
- Does the highest-paying state also leave you best off?
- Not necessarily. California has the highest headline BLS median for a english language and literature teachers, postsecondary at $130,490, but after state tax and cost of living it ranks #1 of 49 on real pay (index 147.2). That gap is exactly what the Gera US Real Pay Index reveals.
- Where does a english language and literature teachers, postsecondary salary go least far?
- Florida ranks last of 49 states for a english language and literature teachers, postsecondary: a $59,740 BLS median is worth only $57,768 after tax and cost of living (index 76.9). Higher local prices and/or income tax less far than the national average erode the headline pay.
Compare other occupations
- Home Health and Personal Care AidesWashington
- Retail SalespersonsNorth Dakota
- Fast Food and Counter WorkersCalifornia
- General and Operations ManagersSouth Dakota
- Registered NursesCalifornia
- CashiersWashington
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, HandNorth Dakota
- Stockers and Order FillersWyoming
- Customer Service RepresentativesIowa
- Office Clerks, GeneralNorth Dakota
- Waiters and WaitressesVermont
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping CleanersWashington
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Related on GeraJobs
- Gera US Real Pay Index — all states ranked — and how the index is calculated.
- Methodology — the exact BLS + BEA + tax computation.
- Browse US jobs with salary ranges — roles hiring now.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) (May 2025 state estimates, US federal public domain); U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional Price Parities (All Items), by state (2024 (US = 100)); Tax Foundation — 2025 State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets. The Gera US Real Pay Index for a english language and literature teachers, postsecondary is computed by GeraJobs from these figures; no figure is modelled or interpolated.