Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for political science teachers, postsecondary in the U.S. is $98,070, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $98,070
- Mean annual wage
- $108,100
- Median hourly wage
- —
- Employment
- 16,970
16,970 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $56,450 | — |
| 25th percentile | $73,260 | — |
| Median (50th) | $98,070 | — |
| 75th percentile | $129,130 | — |
| 90th percentile | $174,660 | — |
Highest-paying states for political science teachers, postsecondary
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $128,150 | 920 |
| California | $124,890 | 1,060 |
| New Hampshire | $124,110 | 90 |
| Montana | $109,050 | — |
| 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 |
Lowest-paying states
- Arkansas: $58,350 median annual wage
- Mississippi: $59,270 median annual wage
- Oklahoma: $63,400 median annual wage
- South Dakota: $72,580 median annual wage
- West Virginia: $77,420 median annual wage
About this occupation
Teach courses in political science, international affairs, and international relations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Typical tasks
- Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- Perform administrative duties, such as serving as department head.
- Participate in campus and community events.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: Doctoral or professional degree
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 0.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.7% |
| Some college, no degree | 2.0% |
| Associate's degree | 1.5% |
| Bachelor's degree | 15.1% |
| Master's degree | 30.6% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 48.5% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Related occupations
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$36,780
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$63,970
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$72,040
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$64,370
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$41,670
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$38,140
- Self-Enrichment Teachers$46,800
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$65,120
About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.