Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary Career, Salary and Skills
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $98,070 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 16,970. Wage data is published for 110 locations.
Occupation description
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.
O*NET code
25-1065.00
Job zone
5
Typical education
Doctoral Degree
Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$98,070
Hourly median
Not published
Employment
16,970
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking | 4.62 | 5.00 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.12 | 4.88 |
| Writing | 4.00 | 4.88 |
| Instructing | 4.00 | 4.25 |
| Active Listening | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Active Learning | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.88 | 4.12 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.75 | 4.00 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.25 | 3.75 |
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as classical political thought, international relations, and democracy and citizenship.
Technology
- Blackboard Learn
- C
- Collaborative editing software
- ContextMiner
- Course management system software
- Desire2Learn LMS software
- DOC Cop
- Email software
- Empirisoft MediaLab
- Formula translation/translator FORTRAN
- Google Docs
- Image scanning software
- iParadigms Turnitin
- Learning management system LMS
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in TXMedian $86,950 · Employment 1,890
- Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in Washington, DCMedian $102,310 · Employment 1,480
- Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in NYMedian $104,050 · Employment 1,460
- Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in New York, NYMedian $107,070 · Employment 1,220
- Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in DCMedian $102,310 · Employment 1,120
- Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in CAMedian $124,890 · Employment 1,060
- Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in MAMedian $128,150 · Employment 920
- Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in VAMedian $101,430 · Employment 830
- Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in Boston, MAMedian $131,690 · Employment 670
- Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in PAMedian $97,230 · Employment 660
- Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in NJMedian $100,260 · Employment 650
- Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in INMedian $83,770 · Employment 630
Related careers
- Special Education Teachers, Elementary SchoolNational median not published
- Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, PostsecondaryNational median $75,870
- Psychology Teachers, PostsecondaryNational median $80,340
- English Language and Literature Teachers, PostsecondaryNational median $78,760
- SociologistsNational median $106,030
- Business Teachers, PostsecondaryNational median $99,080
- Library Science Teachers, PostsecondaryNational median $80,340
- Geography Teachers, PostsecondaryNational median $97,590
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.