Political science teachers, postsecondary salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $56,450 | Data unavailable |
| Median (50th percentile) | $98,070 | Data unavailable |
| Mean (average) | $108,100 | Data unavailable |
| 90th percentile | $174,660 | Data unavailable |
BLS publishes only annual wages for this occupation because workers are typically paid on an annual basis rather than hourly.
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Political science teachers, postsecondary pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 45 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $77,860 | $51,650 | $139,270 | 180 | 0.79 |
| Arizona | $99,910 | $60,060 | $130,530 | 190 | 0.53 |
| Arkansas | $58,350 | $56,420 | $79,000 | 80 | 0.57 |
| California | $124,890 | $67,510 | $212,210 | 1,060 | 0.53 |
| Connecticut | $100,230 | $62,570 | $227,470 | 320 | 1.7 |
| District of Columbia | $102,310 | $63,270 | $167,860 | 1,120 | 14.67 |
| Florida | $77,860 | $52,460 | $163,370 | 270 | 0.25 |
| Georgia | $79,870 | $48,710 | $152,460 | 470 | 0.87 |
| Illinois | $100,700 | $60,220 | $135,810 | 460 | 0.69 |
| Indiana | $83,770 | $52,290 | $165,540 | 630 | 1.79 |
| Iowa | $80,160 | $48,470 | $167,090 | 100 | 0.61 |
| Kansas | $78,800 | $54,120 | $140,380 | 80 | 0.54 |
| Kentucky | $78,670 | $38,220 | $176,620 | 140 | 0.64 |
| Louisiana | $88,090 | $49,990 | $147,350 | 70 | 0.31 |
| Maine | $96,760 | $65,870 | $177,690 | 60 | 0.89 |
| Maryland | $105,630 | $66,810 | $219,530 | 370 | 1.23 |
| Massachusetts | $128,150 | $78,380 | $219,420 | 920 | 2.31 |
| Michigan | $107,060 | $61,020 | $225,510 | 380 | 0.79 |
| Minnesota | $97,170 | $73,670 | $168,550 | 250 | 0.76 |
| Mississippi | $59,270 | $44,700 | $90,100 | 90 | 0.71 |
| Missouri | $94,500 | $52,670 | $214,900 | 280 | 0.87 |
| Montana | $109,050 | $58,930 | $189,060 | ||
| Nebraska | $86,380 | $58,490 | $125,370 | 50 | 0.49 |
| Nevada | $93,300 | $72,400 | $144,260 | 70 | 0.42 |
| New Hampshire | $124,110 | $66,040 | $310,170 | 90 | 1.18 |
| New Jersey | $100,260 | $32,220 | $171,420 | 650 | 1.39 |
| New Mexico | $80,640 | $60,120 | $127,840 | 40 | 0.41 |
| New York | $104,050 | $64,100 | $211,420 | 1,460 | 1.38 |
| North Carolina | $78,760 | $47,240 | $144,630 | 440 | 0.82 |
| Ohio | $80,090 | $46,910 | $126,940 | 460 | 0.76 |
| Oklahoma | $63,400 | $30,330 | $127,990 | 90 | 0.47 |
| Oregon | $83,580 | $72,120 | $133,350 | 540 | 2.53 |
| Pennsylvania | $97,230 | $61,350 | $152,080 | 660 | 0.99 |
| Rhode Island | $101,320 | $62,640 | $156,820 | 170 | 3.04 |
| South Carolina | $78,650 | $41,130 | $129,350 | 210 | 0.85 |
| South Dakota | $72,580 | $59,740 | $101,620 | 30 | 0.67 |
| Tennessee | $81,330 | $60,040 | $151,760 | 250 | 0.69 |
| Texas | $86,950 | $49,010 | $168,900 | 1,890 | 1.23 |
| Utah | $80,610 | $46,010 | $129,810 | 70 | 0.39 |
| Vermont | $107,490 | $76,060 | $169,790 | 80 | 2.36 |
| Virginia | $101,430 | $59,600 | $176,660 | 830 | 1.86 |
| Washington | $101,140 | $55,190 | $133,930 | 450 | 1.16 |
| West Virginia | $77,420 | $43,370 | $125,170 | 70 | 0.88 |
| Wisconsin | $83,190 | $62,310 | $187,820 | 290 | 0.91 |
| Wyoming | $84,750 | $47,500 | $126,140 | 40 | 1.23 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for political science teachers, postsecondary
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 1,500. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 0.2%.
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for political science teachers, postsecondary
- Typical entry education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- History and Political Science CIP 30.4601
- Philosophy, Politics, and Economics CIP 30.5101
- Public Policy Analysis, General CIP 44.0501
- Education Policy Analysis CIP 44.0502
- International Policy Analysis CIP 44.0504
- International Relations and Affairs CIP 45.0901
- National Security Policy Studies CIP 45.0902
- International Relations and National Security Studies, Other CIP 45.0999
- Political Science and Government, General CIP 45.1001
- American Government and Politics (United States) CIP 45.1002
- Political Economy CIP 45.1004
- Political Science and Government, Other CIP 45.1099
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as classical political thought, international relations, and democracy and citizenship.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
- Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Technology skills
- Learning management system LMS (in demand)
- C (hot technology)
- Google Docs (hot technology)
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- R (hot technology)
- Blackboard Learn
- Collaborative editing software
- ContextMiner
- Course management system software
- DOC Cop
- Desire2Learn LMS software
- Email software
Transferable skills for career changers: Instructing, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Persuasion.
Common job titles: Adjunct Professor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Faculty Member, Government Professor, Instructor, Political Science Instructor, Political Science Professor, Professor, Public Administration Professor.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do political science teachers, postsecondary make?
The national median annual wage for political science teachers, postsecondary was $98,070 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $56,450 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $174,660. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do political science teachers, postsecondary need?
BLS lists doctoral or professional degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and none on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is political science teachers, postsecondary a growing career?
BLS projects employment of political science teachers, postsecondary to change +2.5% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 1,500 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay political science teachers, postsecondary the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Massachusetts ($128,150), California ($124,890), New Hampshire ($124,110). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.