Political Science Teacher Salary in 2026
How Much Do Political Science Teachers Make?
Political Science Teachers earn a median annual salary of $94,680 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $50,490 at the 10th percentile to $173,380 at the 90th percentile — a range of $122,890. The highest-paying state is California at $124,780.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $50,490 |
| 25th percentile | $65,330 |
| Median (50th) | $94,680 |
| 75th percentile | $127,480 |
| 90th percentile | $173,380 |
Political Science Teacher Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $124,780 |
| New York | $121,600 |
| Maine | $111,260 |
| Montana | $107,330 |
| Connecticut | $104,500 |
| Massachusetts | $103,910 |
| Vermont | $103,150 |
| Michigan | $102,730 |
| District of Columbia | $100,070 |
| Maryland | $99,950 |
| Rhode Island | $99,700 |
| Texas | $98,790 |
| Arizona | $98,760 |
| New Jersey | $98,280 |
| Minnesota | $98,030 |
| Virginia | $97,970 |
| Illinois | $96,350 |
| Pennsylvania | $93,010 |
| Louisiana | $85,740 |
| Missouri | $83,960 |
| Tennessee | $83,770 |
| Nevada | $83,130 |
| Washington | $82,990 |
| Nebraska | $82,190 |
| Wisconsin | $81,770 |
| Wyoming | $81,570 |
| Indiana | $81,440 |
| South Carolina | $81,410 |
| North Carolina | $80,770 |
| West Virginia | $80,270 |
| Kentucky | $79,960 |
| Oregon | $79,710 |
| Iowa | $79,610 |
| Alabama | $79,340 |
| Georgia | $79,300 |
| Kansas | $78,410 |
| New Mexico | $77,380 |
| Ohio | $76,610 |
| Utah | $70,820 |
| Mississippi | $69,380 |
| South Dakota | $64,980 |
| Oklahoma | $63,350 |
| Arkansas | $62,710 |
| Florida | $58,690 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Political Science Teachers
Political Science Teacher Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$50,490 – $65,330 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$94,680 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$127,480 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $173,380+ |
How to Earn More as a Political Science Teacher
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Political Science Teachers in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ earn $132,700 — $38,020 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($127,480) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
Want to see if a different career pays more for your skills? PathScorer maps your experience against hundreds of occupations and shows you where you're most competitive. Try it free →
Political Science Teacher Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Political Science Teacherthis career | $94,680 |
| Sociologist | $101,690 |
| Political Scientist | $139,380 |
| Business Teacher | $97,270 |
| Anthropology and Archeology Teacher | $95,770 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
PathScorer compares your skills to Political Science Teacher requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
See how your skills compare — freeFrequently Asked Questions
SOC: 25-1065.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.