Compensation
Median Pay
$98,070
National median annual wage for this occupation.
National Career Overview
Political science teachers, postsecondary
Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
National Median Pay
$98,070
Projected Growth
2.0%
Annual Openings
1,600
Career outlook
National Snapshot
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National
Employment
21,800
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Outlook
Projected Growth
2.0%
Projected employment change through 2034.
Opportunity
Annual Openings
1,600
Estimated openings created each year.
Pathway
Preparation
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
STEP 1
Education
Doctoral or professional degree
STEP 2
Experience
None
STEP 3
Training
None
Top Skills for Success
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Speaking & listening
92 / 100
92%
Adaptability
91 / 100
91%
Writing & reading
89 / 100
89%
Creativity & innovation
85 / 100
85%
Critical & analytical thinking
83 / 100
83%
Problem solving & decision making
66 / 100
66%
Leadership
54 / 100
54%
Project management
48 / 100
48%
Computers & information technology
47 / 100
47%
Interpersonal
45 / 100
45%
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Location Intelligence
Best Places for This Career
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
PRO
Best Metro Areas
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
- Top-paying cities
- Fast-growing markets
- Local opportunity rankings
CAREERGPS INSIGHTS
Career Analysis for Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Is Political science teachers, postsecondary a Good Career?
Political science teachers at the postsecondary level work in an occupation with established national employment of 22,000 and a national median salary of $94,680. This role combines deep subject expertise with strong communication abilities, since key skills include speaking and listening, writing and reading, and critical and analytical thinking. The field also values adaptability, creativity and innovation, and problem solving and decision making, suggesting a career where ideas, perspectives, and approaches continually evolve. Leadership, project management, and interpersonal skills are important, indicating ongoing collaboration with students and colleagues. Competence with computers and information technology is part of the skill profile as well. With a projected national employment growth rate of 2.0% and 2,000 annual openings, this path offers a defined flow of opportunities. For those interested in related academic careers, similar options include history, law, library science, philosophy and religion, and sociology teachers at the postsecondary level.
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
Political science teachers, postsecondary, earn a national median salary of $94,680, with notable variation by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, median salaries range from $101,140 in Washington to $128,150 in Massachusetts. California also stands out at $124,890, while New York and Virginia report $104,050 and $101,430, respectively. At the metro level, some areas report even higher medians. The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro shows a median salary of $131,690, and the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro reports $128,050. Other strong metros include New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ at $107,070, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV at $102,310, and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA at $118,950. These figures indicate that earnings for political science teachers can be substantially influenced by regional labor markets, especially in certain states and metropolitan areas.
Job Outlook for Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Political science teachers, postsecondary, have national employment of 22,000 and a projected employment growth rate of 2.0%. This indicates that overall employment in this field is expected to increase, though at a modest rate. With 2,000 annual openings, there is a recurring flow of positions becoming available each year. This combination of an existing workforce size and steady projected growth suggests that people entering or advancing in this career can expect ongoing, if competitive, opportunities. Growth of 2.0% is also reflected consistently in top states and metros by opportunity score, meaning those regions are aligned with the national growth projection. For job seekers and professionals planning their careers, the key takeaway is that this field offers a defined and measurable level of demand over time rather than rapid expansion or contraction, creating a relatively stable planning environment for long-term academic careers.
Where Are the Best Opportunities for Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary?
Location can significantly shape opportunities for postsecondary political science teachers. Among states, California, Massachusetts, and New York combine relatively high median salaries ($124,890, $128,150, and $104,050, respectively) with solid employment levels ranging from 920 to 1,460. Washington and Virginia also provide six-figure median salaries and employment between 450 and 830. Opportunity scores vary from 54.96 in Virginia to 67.38 in California and 65.87 in Massachusetts, indicating different overall mixes of salary, growth, and employment levels. At the metro level, several areas stand out strongly. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ both have high opportunity scores (77.42 and 77.27) with median salaries above $107,000. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA report some of the highest median salaries, exceeding $128,000. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV combines the largest metro employment (1,480) with a six-figure median salary and an opportunity score of 64.47.
Education for Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary
The typical education requirement for postsecondary political science teachers is a doctoral or professional degree. This reflects the advanced level of expertise expected in this career, as well as the need to engage deeply with complex political concepts and academic research. Success in this field is closely tied to a broad set of skills. Strong speaking and listening, along with writing and reading, support effective communication with students and colleagues. Critical and analytical thinking, problem solving, and decision making are central to evaluating information and arguments. Creativity and innovation, along with adaptability, help teachers respond to new ideas and evolving academic environments. Leadership and project management skills align with responsibilities that may involve guiding students and managing academic activities. Competence in computers and information technology, combined with solid interpersonal skills, rounds out a versatile skill profile that supports teaching, collaboration, and professional growth in academic settings.
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