Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary salary in the U.S.
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary in the U.S. earn a median of $98,070 a year, based on BLS data for 16,970 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $174,660 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $108,100, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for political science teachers, postsecondary in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,450 |
| 25th percentile | $73,260 |
| Median | $98,070 |
| 75th percentile | $129,130 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $174,660 |
| Average (mean) | $108,100 |
Half of political science teachers, postsecondary earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,172.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,086.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,771.92 |
| Weekly | $1,885.96 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because political science teachers, postsecondary are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $128,150 | 920 |
| California | $124,890 | 1,060 |
| New Hampshire | $124,110 | 90 |
| Montana | $109,050 | n/a |
| Vermont | $107,490 | 80 |
| Michigan | $107,060 | 380 |
| Maryland | $105,630 | 370 |
| New York | $104,050 | 1,460 |
| District of Columbia | $102,310 | 1,120 |
| Virginia | $101,430 | 830 |
| Rhode Island | $101,320 | 170 |
| Washington | $101,140 | 450 |
| Illinois | $100,700 | 460 |
| New Jersey | $100,260 | 650 |
| Connecticut | $100,230 | 320 |
| Arizona | $99,910 | 190 |
| Pennsylvania | $97,230 | 660 |
| Minnesota | $97,170 | 250 |
| Maine | $96,760 | 60 |
| Missouri | $94,500 | 280 |
| Nevada | $93,300 | 70 |
| Louisiana | $88,090 | 70 |
| Texas | $86,950 | 1,890 |
| Nebraska | $86,380 | 50 |
| Wyoming | $84,750 | 40 |
| Indiana | $83,770 | 630 |
| Oregon | $83,580 | 540 |
| Wisconsin | $83,190 | 290 |
| Tennessee | $81,330 | 250 |
| New Mexico | $80,640 | 40 |
| Utah | $80,610 | 70 |
| Iowa | $80,160 | 100 |
| Ohio | $80,090 | 460 |
| Georgia | $79,870 | 470 |
| Kansas | $78,800 | 80 |
| North Carolina | $78,760 | 440 |
| Kentucky | $78,670 | 140 |
| South Carolina | $78,650 | 210 |
| Alabama | $77,860 | 180 |
| Florida | $77,860 | 270 |
| West Virginia | $77,420 | 70 |
| South Dakota | $72,580 | 30 |
| Oklahoma | $63,400 | 90 |
| Mississippi | $59,270 | 90 |
| Arkansas | $58,350 | 80 |
Best-paying metro areas for political science teachers, postsecondary
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $150,940 | 70 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $137,430 | 140 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $131,690 | 670 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $131,440 | 70 |
| Fresno, CA | $128,820 | 30 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $128,050 | 60 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | $126,240 | 130 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $121,300 | 40 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $119,590 | 420 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $118,950 | 120 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | $111,030 | 70 |
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $107,490 | 40 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $107,170 | 310 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $107,070 | 1,220 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $107,060 | 30 |
Metro areas with the most political science teachers, postsecondary
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 1,480 | $102,310 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 1,220 | $107,070 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 670 | $131,690 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 430 | $82,480 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 420 | $119,590 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 360 | $102,960 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 340 | $79,660 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 320 | $86,930 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 320 | $100,700 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 310 | $104,120 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 310 | $107,170 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 300 | $101,090 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 190 | $101,320 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 170 | $95,210 |
| Richmond, VA | 160 | $92,410 |
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-1065. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a political science teachers, postsecondary make in the U.S.?
The median salary for political science teachers, postsecondary in the U.S. is $98,070 a year. Pay ranges from $56,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $174,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid political science teachers, postsecondary make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of political science teachers, postsecondary in the U.S. earn at least $174,660 a year. The top 25% earn $129,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for political science teachers, postsecondary in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,450 a year, and a quarter of political science teachers, postsecondary earn $73,260 or less.
How many political science teachers, postsecondary work in the U.S.?
About 16,970 political science teachers, postsecondary are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.