California Median
$124,890
per year
Hourly Rate
$60.04
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+27% vs US median
US median $98,070
State Rank
#2 of 45
1,060 employed here
How much does a Political Science Teacher, Postsecondary make in California?
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary in California take home a median of $124,890 annually — roughly $60.04 an hour — which runs 27% above the national median of $98,070.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $67,510 while the top 10% make $212,210 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $100,380 and $165,810 a year.
Political Science Teacher, Postsecondary salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,510 | $32.46 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $100,380 | $48.26 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $124,890 | $60.04 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $165,810 | $79.72 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $212,210 | $102.02 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 2nd out of 45 states and territories for Political Science Teacher, Postsecondary pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Political Science Teacher, Postsecondary salary in other states
Massachusetts $128,150New Hampshire $124,110Montana $109,050Vermont $107,490Michigan $107,060Maryland $105,630New York $104,050District of Columbia $102,310Virginia $101,430Rhode Island $101,320Washington $101,140Illinois $100,700New Jersey $100,260Connecticut $100,230Arizona $99,910Pennsylvania $97,230Minnesota $97,170Maine $96,760Missouri $94,500Nevada $93,300Louisiana $88,090Texas $86,950Nebraska $86,380Wyoming $84,750Indiana $83,770Oregon $83,580Wisconsin $83,190Tennessee $81,330New Mexico $80,640Utah $80,610Iowa $80,160Ohio $80,090Georgia $79,870Kansas $78,800North Carolina $78,760Kentucky $78,670South Carolina $78,650Alabama $77,860Florida $77,860West Virginia $77,420South Dakota $72,580Oklahoma $63,400Mississippi $59,270Arkansas $58,350
Working as a Political Science Teacher, Postsecondary in California
Nationally, about 17,000 people work as Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($124,890) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Political Science Teacher, Postsecondary make in California?
The median Political Science Teacher, Postsecondary salary in California is $124,890 per year, or about $60.04 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $67,510 at the entry level to $212,210 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary about 27% more than the national median of $98,070. California ranks 2nd out of 45 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $124,890 a year. About 1,060 Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Political Science Teacher, Postsecondary salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.