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Occupation · SOC 25-1062

Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary

There are 11,300 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $85,020 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

Education & LibraryTypical education: Doctoral or professional degree
11,300
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$85,020
Median pay a year
Middle half: $65,660–$110,710
1,000
Annual openings
10-year change: +2.7%
139
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
−17.3% from the prior 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 32 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $103,700 · LCA filings 71,190$103,7007
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $100,140 · LCA filings 2440$100,1402
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $101,700 · LCA filings 0360$101,7000
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $102,030 · LCA filings 6310$102,0306
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $80,980 · LCA filings 2300$80,9802
Ann Arbor, MIMedian pay $106,140 · LCA filings 3240$106,1403
Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos, TXMedian pay $97,200 · LCA filings 3230$97,2003
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIMedian pay $81,220 · LCA filings 1230$81,2201
Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR–WAMedian pay $81,120 · LCA filings 1220$81,1201
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $100,760 · LCA filings 3140$100,7603

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Santa Maria–Santa Barbara, CAEmployment 40 · LCA filings 2$145,530402
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$129,270400
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 50 · LCA filings 4$125,890504
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CAEmployment 90 · LCA filings 0$118,970900
Ann Arbor, MIEmployment 240 · LCA filings 3$106,1402403

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployers with LCA filings 3 · Employment 1,190731,190
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAEmployers with LCA filings 6 · Employment 31066310
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployers with LCA filings 2 · Employment 504250
Ann Arbor, MIEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 24031240
Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos, TXEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 23031230

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $94,390 · Level III $116,670 · Level IV $138,950$72,110$94,390$116,670$138,950
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $90,387 · Level III $110,873 · Level IV $131,360$69,900$90,387$110,873$131,360
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $95,027 · Level III $121,013 · Level IV $147,000$69,040$95,027$121,013$147,000
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $89,200 · Level III $110,600 · Level IV $132,000$67,800$89,200$110,600$132,000
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $72,210 · Level III $91,570 · Level IV $110,930$52,850$72,210$91,570$110,930
Ann Arbor, MILevel II $91,207 · Level III $112,283 · Level IV $133,360$70,130$91,207$112,283$133,360
Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos, TXLevel II $76,867 · Level III $96,703 · Level IV $116,540$57,030$76,867$96,703$116,540
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WILevel II $75,913 · Level III $94,147 · Level IV $112,380$57,680$75,913$94,147$112,380
Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR–WALevel II $76,943 · Level III $92,127 · Level IV $107,310$61,760$76,943$92,127$107,310
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $74,097 · Level III $96,903 · Level IV $119,710$51,290$74,097$96,903$119,710
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $116,763 · Level III $143,147 · Level IV $169,530$90,380$116,763$143,147$169,530

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Area StudiesCIP 05.01 · Usually needs more educationOPT · up to 12 months733OPT · up to 12 months
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group StudiesCIP 05.02 · Usually needs more educationOPT · up to 12 months270OPT · up to 12 months
Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and AnalysisCIP 30.26 · Usually needs more educationOPT · up to 12 months43OPT · up to 12 months

See Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary in every metro area

All 32 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

See every metro area →

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Related occupations · Education & Library

Teaching Assistants, except PostsecondaryElementary School Teachers, except Special EducationPreschool Teachers, except Special EducationSubstitute Teachers, Short-TermSecondary School Teachers, except Special and Career/Technical EducationSelf-Enrichment TeachersMiddle School Teachers, except Special and Career/Technical EducationTutors

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology