Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median $98,070 a year nationally. Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
U.S. median
$98,070
$47.15 per hour
Range
$56,450 – $174,660
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
16,970
across the U.S.
▲3.6%
Pay trend: The median for political science teachers, postsecondary in the U.S. rose from $94,680 (May 2024) to $98,070 (May 2025). That beat inflation (2.4%), a real raise of about 1.2%.
What political science teachers, postsecondary do
Teach courses in political science, international affairs, and international relations.
- Typical education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +2.5% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 1,500
Employment of political science teachers, postsecondary is projected to grow 2.5% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,500 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$77,822
per year · effective tax rate 20.6%
$6,485Monthly
$3,243Twice a month
$2,993Every 2 weeks
$37.41Hourly
- Federal income tax$12,745
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,080
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,422
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$77,822
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,450 | $27.14 | $47,538 |
| 25th percentile | $73,260 | $35.22 | $60,368 |
| Median (50th) | $98,070 | $47.15 | $77,822 |
| 75th percentile | $129,130 | $62.08 | $99,526 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $174,660 | $83.97 | $130,646 |
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $128,150 | +23.3% | $92,669 | $78,380 – $219,420 | 920 |
| California | $124,890 | +0.1% | $87,620 | $67,510 – $212,210 | 1,060 |
| New Hampshire | $124,110 | — | $96,095 | $66,040 – $239,200+ | 90 |
| Montana | $109,050 | +1.6% | $80,746 | $58,930 – $189,060 | — |
| Vermont | $107,490 | +4.2% | $79,815 | $76,060 – $169,790 | 80 |
| Michigan | $107,060 | +4.2% | $79,847 | $61,020 – $225,510 | 380 |
| Maryland | $105,630 | +5.7% | $78,487 | $66,810 – $219,530 | 370 |
| New York | $104,050 | −14.4% | $76,930 | $64,100 – $211,420 | 1,460 |
| District of Columbia | $102,310 | +2.2% | $75,077 | $63,270 – $167,860 | 1,120 |
| Virginia | $101,430 | +3.5% | $75,168 | $59,600 – $176,660 | 830 |
| Rhode Island | $101,320 | +1.6% | $76,898 | $62,640 – $156,820 | 170 |
| Washington | $101,140 | +21.9% | $79,982 | $55,190 – $133,930 | 450 |
| Illinois | $100,700 | +4.5% | $74,833 | $60,220 – $135,810 | 460 |
| New Jersey | $100,260 | +2.0% | $75,166 | $32,220 – $171,420 | 650 |
| Connecticut | $100,230 | −4.1% | $75,404 | $62,570 – $227,470 | 320 |
| Arizona | $99,910 | +1.2% | $76,828 | $60,060 – $130,530 | 190 |
| Pennsylvania | $97,230 | +4.5% | $74,246 | $61,350 – $152,080 | 660 |
| Minnesota | $97,170 | −0.9% | $72,105 | $73,670 – $168,550 | 250 |
| Maine | $96,760 | −13.0% | $71,478 | $65,870 – $177,690 | 60 |
| Missouri | $94,500 | +12.6% | $71,807 | $52,670 – $214,900 | 280 |
| Nevada | $93,300 | +12.2% | $74,467 | $72,400 – $144,260 | 70 |
| Louisiana | $88,090 | +2.7% | $68,545 | $49,990 – $147,350 | 70 |
| Texas | $86,950 | −12.0% | $69,999 | $49,010 – $168,900 | 1,890 |
| Nebraska | $86,380 | +5.1% | $66,548 | $58,490 – $125,370 | 50 |
| Wyoming | $84,750 | +3.9% | $68,452 | $47,500 – $126,140 | 40 |
| Indiana | $83,770 | +2.9% | $65,320 | $52,290 – $165,540 | 630 |
| Oregon | $83,580 | +4.9% | $61,145 | $72,120 – $133,350 | 540 |
| Wisconsin | $83,190 | +1.7% | $64,326 | $62,310 – $187,820 | 290 |
| Tennessee | $81,330 | −2.9% | $66,046 | $60,040 – $151,760 | 250 |
| New Mexico | $80,640 | +4.2% | $62,936 | $60,120 – $127,840 | 40 |
| Utah | $80,610 | +13.8% | $62,878 | $46,010 – $129,810 | 70 |
| Iowa | $80,160 | +0.7% | $62,828 | $48,470 – $167,090 | 100 |
| Ohio | $80,090 | +4.5% | $63,753 | $46,910 – $126,940 | 460 |
| Georgia | $79,870 | +0.7% | $61,496 | $48,710 – $152,460 | 470 |
| Kansas | $78,800 | +0.5% | $60,668 | $54,120 – $140,380 | 80 |
| North Carolina | $78,760 | −2.5% | $61,604 | $47,240 – $144,630 | 440 |
| Kentucky | $78,670 | −1.6% | $61,538 | $38,220 – $176,620 | 140 |
| South Carolina | $78,650 | −3.4% | $60,598 | $41,130 – $129,350 | 210 |
| Alabama | $77,860 | −1.9% | $59,977 | $51,650 – $139,270 | 180 |
| Florida | $77,860 | +32.7% | $63,605 | $52,460 – $163,370 | 270 |
| West Virginia | $77,420 | −3.6% | $60,498 | $43,370 – $125,170 | 70 |
| South Dakota | $72,580 | +11.7% | $59,890 | $59,740 – $101,620 | 30 |
| Oklahoma | $63,400 | +0.1% | $50,814 | $30,330 – $127,990 | 90 |
| Mississippi | $59,270 | −14.6% | $48,165 | $44,700 – $90,100 | 90 |
| Arkansas | $58,350 | −7.0% | $47,001 | $56,420 – $79,000 | 80 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geography Teachers, Postsecondary | $97,590 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.7% |
| Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary | $99,650 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.6% |
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $85,020 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.7% |
| Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary | $84,290 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.2% |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,340 | Doctoral or professional degree | +4.0% |
| Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other | $72,990 | Doctoral or professional degree | +1.6% |
| Economics Teachers, Postsecondary | $123,920 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.4% |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,700 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.9% |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $99,080 | Doctoral or professional degree | +5.9% |
| Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $96,980 | Doctoral or professional degree | +4.9% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a political science teachers, postsecondary make?
The national median salary for political science teachers, postsecondary is $98,070 a year ($47.15 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $56,450 and the top 10% earn over $174,660. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays political science teachers, postsecondary the most?
Massachusetts has the highest median pay at $128,150.
How many political science teachers, postsecondary are there in the U.S.?
About 16,970 people work as political science teachers, postsecondary nationwide.