Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary
SOC 25-1065 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary is $93,810, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $104,910, and an estimated 17,090 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +9.4% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of -7.1% (pay did not keep up with inflation). BLS projects employment will grow 2% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $93,810 | $93,810 | 17,090 |
| 2022 | $83,770 | $87,218 | 15,190 |
| 2021 | $81,980 | $92,185 | 14,060 |
| 2020 | $85,760 | $100,967 | 15,130 |
Nominal change
+9.4%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
-7.1%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+2%
About average
Employment 2024
21,800
Projected 2034
22,200
Annual Openings
1,600
Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $93,810. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $117,870 | +25.6% | 1,590 |
| Maine | $111,360 | +18.7% | 60 |
| California | $109,500 | +16.7% | 1,250 |
| Maryland | $108,430 | +15.6% | 250 |
| Montana | $107,210 | +14.3% | 40 |
| Massachusetts | $105,690 | +12.7% | 950 |
| Arizona | $105,510 | +12.5% | 170 |
| Connecticut | $105,480 | +12.4% | 300 |
| Vermont | $103,320 | +10.1% | 90 |
| Michigan | $102,900 | +9.7% | 380 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$51,610
25th Pct
$66,330
Median
$93,810
75th Pct
$127,940
90th Pct
$172,910
H-1B Employer Filings
Employer-certified wages from DOL H-1B LCA filings — competitive market benchmark, not approved visas.
| Employer | State | Filings | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| George Mason University | VA | 3 | $80,850 |
| Saint Louis University | MO | 2 | $73,000 |
| Cornell University | NY | 2 | $120,000 |
| The University of Arizona | AZ | 1 | $126,922 |
| Jacksonville State University | AL | 1 | $63,500 |
| UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS | TX | 1 | $74,500 |
| Tufts University | MA | 1 | $150,000 |
| Baruch College | NY | 1 | $93,134 |
| Hunter College of the City University of New York | NY | 1 | $72,177 |
| University at Albany, State University of New York | NY | 1 | $86,000 |
| Reed College | OR | 1 | $83,140 |
| WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY | MI | 1 | $74,000 |
| Northeastern University | MA | 1 | $114,000 |
| Tarleton State University | TX | 1 | $66,950 |
| DePauw University | IN | 1 | $60,000 |
| State University of New York- Buffalo State College | NY | 1 | $66,500 |
| University of Massachusetts Boston | MA | 1 | $87,000 |
| The University of Tennessee | TN | 1 | $65,000 |
| Brandeis University | MA | 1 | $135,000 |
| Carnegie Mellon University | PA | 1 | $80,400 |
Source: DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification, H-1B LCA data.
Related Occupations in Educational Instruction & Library
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.