Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary salary by state
What Political Science Teachers, Postsecondarys do
Typical education: Doctoral Degree
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.
Top skills:SpeakingReading ComprehensionWritingInstructingActive ListeningActive Learning
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary pay by experience level
Entry level$58,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$76,000
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$101,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$133,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$181,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+2%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
1,600
projected openings per year
Growing slower than average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary salary by industry
Educational Services
16,970 workers
$112,000
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
15,150 workers
$113,000
Educational Services, State Government Owned
7,730 workers
$108,000
Educational Services, Privately Owned
7,080 workers
$116,000
Educational Services, Local Government Owned
2,170 workers
$112,500
Junior Colleges
1,810 workers
$103,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary pays 27% above the average across 65 roles in the Educational Instruction and Library job family (family average $88,500).
Similar-paying roles in Educational Instruction and Library
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary make?
The average base salary for a Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary in the United States is $112,000 per year, or about $53.85 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $76,000 and $133,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Educational Instruction and Library roles?
The Educational Instruction and Library job family averages $88,500 across 65 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
