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Job outlook for political theory professors in the United States
Are political theory professor jobs in demand?
Political theory professor job and salary trends over time
Political theory professor jobs over time
Political theory professor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 432 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 464 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 483 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 488 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 497 | 0.00% |
Average political theory professor salary over time
Political theory professor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $93,167 | $44.79 | --0.2% |
| 2025 | $93,351 | $44.88 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | $90,570 | $43.54 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $88,463 | $42.53 | +2.8% |
| 2022 | $86,051 | $41.37 | +3.7% |
Political theory professor jobs by state
Most common states for political theory professors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 83 | 12% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 49 | 8% |
| 3 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 103 | 6% |
| 4 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 383 | 5% |
| 5 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 289 | 5% |
| 6 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 210 | 5% |
| 7 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 46 | 5% |
| 8 | New York | 19,849,399 | 788 | 4% |
| 9 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 130 | 4% |
| 10 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 118 | 4% |
| 11 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 86 | 4% |
| 12 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 38 | 4% |
| 13 | Alaska | 739,795 | 32 | 4% |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 410 | 3% |
| 15 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 254 | 3% |
| 16 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 172 | 3% |
| 17 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 153 | 3% |
| 18 | Louisiana | 4,684,333 | 141 | 3% |
| 19 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 97 | 3% |
| 20 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 41 | 3% |
Political Theory Professor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of political theory professor experts
Kean University
North Carolina State University
Skidmore College
Ashford University
Hartwick College
Appalachian State University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Coastal Carolina University
Gannon University
Baldwin Wallace University
Colby College
Colby College
University of North Florida
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Arkansas State University
What will help Political Theory Professors increase their earning potential?
Alex Holte PhD: When you are starting out at any career, it is important to negotiate your salary. Many candidates feel that they have to accept their first offer, but in reality, at many jobs, there is some room for negotiation. Be mindful however, to not request a salary that is much higher than what is being offered as they may feel like a compromise would not be possible and move on to the next candidate.
What general advice would you give to a Political Theory Professor?
Mia Fiore Ph.D.: First, I would tell all students that it is VERY different from teaching k-12. Unlike K-12, you are not placed in a school with a teaching job upon graduation; teaching in higher education is one of the most competitive fields, period. The next difference is that you are expected to be an expert/ master of your field. If you're also willing to accept that you will likely have to work as an adjunct professor (for low pay) first, then go for it! Teaching in higher education is the most rewarding job, especially for people who love learning.
What general advice would you give to a Political Theory Professor?
Justin Whitehill Ph.D.: Perseverance pays off. Its worth it to pursue the career you want and not settle and be unhappy.
What will help Political Theory Professors increase their earning potential?
Justin Whitehill Ph.D.: I wouldn’t know, I’m a professor.
Aurelie Matheron
Assistant Professor of FrenchSkidmore College
Romance Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics
What will help Political Theory Professors increase their earning potential?
Aurelie Matheron: Do some research online about how much someone earns at your stage of the career. If there is a significant gap, point out (diplomatically) that, because of your extensive experience in XYZ, you would like to get a X% increase in your salary. Be reasonable: if you want a 3% increase, ask for 5% (not 10% or more). Justify your negotiation: why should they pay me more? What experience can I show them to justify my request? If you have a higher offer from another place, you can say that “I have received another generous offer and would like to know about the possibility for matching that offer.” Salary is not the only thing you can negotiate: office space, computer/laptop, sabbaticals, course release, etc. Again, be reasonable: if you think you are entitled to XYZ requests, you also have to show why.
Fabio Lanza
ProfessorAshford University
History
What will help Political Theory Professors increase their earning potential?
Fabio Lanza: Difficult to say, given how quickly things change. Digital humanities was and still is fashionable and important. Public history (museum, exhibitions, outreach). And teaching.
Dr. James Buthman Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Political ScienceHartwick College
Political Science Department
How have salaries changed over time for Political Theory Professors?
Dr. James Buthman Ph.D.: Salaries are variable for graduates with a Political Science degree because there is such a wide range of professions you can pursue: for example, journalism, non-profit work, entry level governmental employee, or the private sector. The most important thing to remember is that your first job is helping to build on the foundation of skills and knowledge you have constructed throughout college.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Political Theory Professor job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Phillip Ardoin: I think we'll see a dramatic increase in opportunities for individuals to work remotely. We have several students who have landed jobs with DC interest groups and campaigns and they are all working from NC. From the perspective of political science, entry-level positions are cyclical depending on who holds the majority. Dems have lots of new job opportunities at this point.
What skills stand out on Political Theory Professor resumes?
Dr. Phillip Ardoin: Writing skills and data analytics are important for most positions.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Political Theory Professors to find work opportunities?
Dr. Phillip Ardoin: Washington, DC, and most state capitals. Surprisingly, we are also seeing quite a few entry-level job opportunities in local government.
Andrew Scerri
Associate Professor and Director of Graduate StudiesVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Department of Political Science and International Studies
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Political Theory Professors?
Andrew Scerri: Yes, indeed. Until it is under control, PSCI graduates possessing knowledge of the public health policy terrain and the preferences of citizens will be in demand by representatives, and potential representatives, at local, state, and national levels. Once the virus is under control (presuming that it will be), PSCI graduates with this kind of two-dimensional knowledge will remain in demand, as will those with knowledge and skills in relation to the fairness and equity concerns that inevitably will be raised by any vaccine rollout. Being able to forecast emerging trends in public opinion, to compare policy experiments across jurisdictions, and to evaluate the effectiveness of policy experiments for different individuals, groups, or collective actors such as businesses or a whole industrial sector will also become more valuable.
What type of skills will young Political Theory Professors need?
Andrew Scerri: Increasingly, PSCI graduates will need both empirical skills (quantitative data analysis, appreciation of qualitative research methods) and theoretical knowledge (political theory and philosophy). If the pandemic demonstrates anything, it is that policymakers cannot simply "crunch the numbers" or "collect the facts" and enact effective solutions to social problems, such as public health. Very few people without both sets of skills foresaw the rapid uptake of hitherto marginal "anti-vaxxer" beliefs in the first months of the pandemic. Getting over this now, sadly, widespread phenomenon will require graduates with a solid appreciation of why "the facts" no longer matter. The same can be said of the "other big issue:" climate change. Denial of the reality of human-induced climate change has, over the last decade or so, become mainstream. Even media outlets that insist on presenting "both sides of the story" effectively deny the reality of the science. So, this is a big problem and PSCI graduates with two-dimensional skills are well-placed to offer representatives and potential representatives, regulatory and foreign service authorities, think tanks, and of course, schools, community colleges and universities, tools for responding to citizenly denialism and mass-media preoccupations with presenting "both sides."
What experience really stands out on Political Theory Professor resumes?
Andrew Scerri: Demonstrating the two-dimensional skillset mentioned above, in terms of your electives, does stand out; as does having worked as a paid research assistant while a graduate student, especially for positions such as political staffer, research officer for nongovernmental or governmental bodies, or business consultant. Equally, paid or unpaid work (interning) matters. Voluntary work for nongovernmental organizations, lobby groups, and so on, counts. Often, graduates tend to "pad' resumes with extraneous information about sporting achievements, civic service (e.g., volunteering for a charity), and the like. Much of this kind of thing is merely taken as given qualities of any good citizen. What you're trying to show in your resume is that you are a skilled and knowledgeable professional with training in the discipline of political science. While at graduate school, make decisions on your time, which will mean that your resume reflects this.
Pamela Martin Ph.D.
Professor, Exec. Director Georgetown RISE, a United Nations RCE for Sustainable DevelopmentCoastal Carolina University
Department of Politics
What Political Theory Professor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Pamela Martin Ph.D.: I would recommend they seek a digital internship. There are even global internships that can be done via distance with international institutions and corporations.
What general advice would you give to a Political Theory Professor?
Pamela Martin Ph.D.: Be curious; try new courses and experiential learning/hands-on activities offered at your university. Be engaged in your campus and your broader community, which affords leadership development, networking, and a cultivation of your personal connection to a wider world.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Political Theory Professor job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Anjali Sahay: The Coronavirus epidemic of 2020 altered the employment landscape dramatically. The U.S. economy and labor market are experiencing some changing trends:
- Jobs that can be done remotely will have the flexibility to continue in that direction. As a result, companies will consider relocating workers to less expensive cities since the salary per person can be reduced.
- Education will see more hyplex classes with virtual options.
- The drop in labor force participation will be larger for women than for men, partly because of the childcare crisis.
- Jobs will increase in the goods as well as the supply chain industries as people will continue to buy online products. The service industry will take some time to recover. Bars, hotels, restaurants, air travel, cruises - they're going to be affected for some time. People are going to be scared to be in confined spaces with lots of people around.
What skills stand out on Political Theory Professor resumes?
Dr. Anjali Sahay: As folks search for jobs during COVID-19, it is likely that they will either find opportunities in the essential workforce or in remote jobs (even if only remote temporarily) as the country practices social distancing.
STRENGTHS:
- Self-driven - as people work from home, motivation and self driven people will be more successful.
- Self-paced
- Detail-oriented
- Multitasker
SKILLS:
- Tech savvy (technological and digital Skills) - with more and more meetings, work projects, and classes going virtual, technological skills are more important than ever.
- Negotiation - in business, negotiating skills will always be an important skill.
- Adaptability - employers will want to know that you have what it takes to adapt to these changes brought on by COVID.
- Emotional intelligence - to deal with customers and vendors, this is an evergreen skill.
What Political Theory Professor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Tom Sutton Ph.D.: The perennial skills needed by most organizations and businesses are professional writing ability, effective oral communication (especially using remote platforms), familiarity with communication and data management software platforms, efficient time management and task orientation, problem solving skills, and the ability to take the initiative and work with minimal supervision (especially now in remote work environments). The best way to enhance these skills during a gap year is to find employment in a smaller enterprise such as a start-up venture that requires rapid adaptation, flexibility, and ability to deploy a variety of skills in a changing environment.
What general advice would you give to a Political Theory Professor?
Tom Sutton Ph.D.: Graduates need to have short- and long-term career goals for focus but also need to be open to opportunities that may at first not quite fit their notions of what constitutes an "ideal position". They will have long careers; getting started means taking risks and trying different types of work and environments to find what suits their interests and abilities. There is also the basic necessity of providing for oneself (and others if needed). For most graduates, income to pay monthly student debt is a personal finance starting point. Graduate school should be considered only if a graduate has a clear idea about why they intend to apply and how this will advance their career (i.e., don't go to graduate school to postpone student loan payments or because one "doesn't know what else to do").
Sandy L. Maisel Ph.D.
Goldfarb Family Distinguished Professor of American Government; Director of the Colby in Washington Program, 1987-1995; Director, Goldfarb Center for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement, 2003-2012Colby College
Department of Government
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Political Theory Professors to find work opportunities?
Sandy L. Maisel Ph.D.: Still CDC and state capitals, but increasingly location does not matter as much.
Daniel M. Shea Ph.D.
Chair, Professor of GovernmentColby College
Department of Government
What skills stand out on Political Theory Professor resumes?
Daniel M. Shea Ph.D.: Candidates who are truly interested in innovative teaching and who bring a fresh perspective to issues of diversity and inclusion will stand out in the coming years. In our field, political science, there continues to be a strong demand for job candidates with solid empirical research skills. I would add that we are seeing job candidates with hefty CVs. It seems increasingly common for candidates to have several publications before landing a full-time job.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Political Theory Professors to find work opportunities?
Daniel M. Shea Ph.D.: Large state schools and community colleges will be an increasingly important source of employment in the coming decades. This might not be the first choice for many newly-minted PhDs, but these can be good jobs and are very important. Unfortunately, I suspect a shrinking number of posts will be available at private liberal arts colleges. The demographics for liberal arts is heading in the wrong direction - especially in the Northeast.
It's a tough time for budding academics, to be sure. Being a professor is a wonderful job, but would I push my students - or kids - to attend graduate school to become an academic? Probably not. The job market is just too tough.
Mary O Borg Ph.D.
Professor, Political Science and DirectorUniversity of North Florida
Department of Political Science & Public Administration
What type of skills will young Political Theory Professors need?
Mary O Borg Ph.D.: Critical thinking skills and good communication skills. Both of those are important in a knowledge economy, and both also help people adapt to changing environments, which the pandemic has shown can happen at any time.
What experience really stands out on Political Theory Professor resumes?
Mary O Borg Ph.D.: Internships, especially in the field that you hope to enter. Internship experiences have become more flexible during the pandemic, and many can be done online. If you can't get your dream job after you graduate, explore doing an internship, either online or part-time, while you support yourself with a less than ideal position.
What general advice would you give to a Political Theory Professor?
Louise Antony: As for advice to graduates, I'll pass on some of the things that have come up in the Mentoring Workshops I have been involved with. There are two categories of things to keep in mind: professional advancement and teaching/research.
Professional advancement: 1) get to know your chair. Schedule a meeting with them sometime during your first year to go over things like the schedule for reappointment and tenure, the department's expectations for tenure, and the procedure for tenure review. 2) If your department offers any kind of formal mentoring program, take advantage of it. If no such program is offered, try to identify a colleague or two who might be able and willing to advise you on teaching and research matters that might come up. 3) If your faculty has a union, join it. Attend any receptions held for new faculty and any general membership meetings. They may offer an orientation for new faculty as well. Learn your rights.
Research: 1) Focus on your main research interest -- work on what you love, not on what you think will "sell." 2) At the same time, when you have decisions to make about publication, consider your department's expectations: book or articles? Refereed journal articles or prestigious invited volumes? 3) Make connections with more senior scholars in your area of interest through conferences, discussion boards, webinars, etc. If you are in the audience at a scholarly talk, ask a question, and follow up, if possible, either in person or later, in writing.
Teaching: Be organized. Be respectful of your students. Be accessible, but set limits. Build on the teaching experience you've gained as a graduate student. Keep your goals realistic -- for example, don't construct a syllabus that is inappropriate for your student population or for the level of the class. If you are in a research-intensive department, try to connect your teaching assignments and your research as much as possible -- for example, if you are offered the opportunity to teach an advanced course, choose a topic that connects with your research interests.
What type of skills will young Political Theory Professors need?
Dr. Catherine C. Reese: As always, communication skills are very important; I'd say that critical thinking skills, combined with excellent communication, are the skills that will really take students places.
How do you envision technology impacting Political Theory Professors in the next 5 years?
Dr. Catherine C. Reese: Technology, in the form of data analytics, will be starting to drive governmental decision-making within the next five years. Where important decisions used to be ad hoc, they will be driven by data analysis in the future. Will data-based decisions remove the politics from the administration? That remains to be seen.