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Political science instructor salary
Average political science instructor salary
$56,669
Understanding Political Science Instructor Salaries
As a Political Science Instructor, your salary can be influenced by various factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and the institution type. The average annual salary is approximately $56,669, translating to about $27 per hour. This figure can vary significantly based on state and city. For instance, instructors in metropolitan areas often earn more due to the higher cost of living.
In states like California and New York, political science instructors frequently command higher salaries due to increased demand for qualified educators. Additionally, some colleges and universities offer competitive compensation packages, including benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans.
For those considering a career in this field, pursuing advanced degrees can lead to higher earning potential. Moreover, instructors who engage in research or publish work may find additional opportunities for financial growth. Understanding the salary landscape and the factors that influence earnings is essential for making informed career choices.
Opportunities for Political Science Instructors
Many institutions offer pathways for career advancement, allowing instructors to transition into administrative roles or higher-level academic positions. Exploring job postings and salary insights can provide a clearer picture of the opportunities available in this rewarding field.
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Where can a Political Science Instructor earn more?
Average political science instructor salary by state
The average political science instructor salary in New York, Utah, and Alaska are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average political science instructor salary states are Florida, Alabama, and Oklahoma.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for political science instructors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nevada | $73,424 | $35.30 |
| 2 | New York | $83,243 | $40.02 |
| 3 | Alaska | $77,053 | $37.04 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $71,717 | $34.48 |
| 5 | California | $77,020 | $37.03 |
| 6 | Utah | $78,093 | $37.54 |
| 7 | North Dakota | $69,798 | $33.56 |
| 8 | Mississippi | $71,004 | $34.14 |
| 9 | Delaware | $69,857 | $33.59 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $71,472 | $34.36 |
| 11 | New Hampshire | $68,929 | $33.14 |
| 12 | Nebraska | $71,744 | $34.49 |
| 13 | Vermont | $66,197 | $31.83 |
| 14 | Massachusetts | $69,612 | $33.47 |
| 15 | Connecticut | $71,360 | $34.31 |
| 16 | District of Columbia | $76,569 | $36.81 |
| 17 | Texas | $68,882 | $33.12 |
| 18 | Missouri | $71,125 | $34.19 |
| 19 | Hawaii | $67,236 | $32.33 |
| 20 | Iowa | $61,010 | $29.33 |
| 21 | Idaho | $61,702 | $29.66 |
| 22 | Montana | $56,512 | $27.17 |
| 23 | Maryland | $61,936 | $29.78 |
| 24 | Kansas | $61,669 | $29.65 |
| 25 | Colorado | $57,290 | $27.54 |
| 26 | Maine | $60,055 | $28.87 |
| 27 | Washington | $63,388 | $30.48 |
| 28 | South Carolina | $54,736 | $26.32 |
| 29 | West Virginia | $57,145 | $27.47 |
| 30 | Oregon | $56,712 | $27.27 |
| 31 | Wyoming | $53,274 | $25.61 |
| 32 | Georgia | $55,225 | $26.55 |
| 33 | Virginia | $57,345 | $27.57 |
| 34 | Kentucky | $54,720 | $26.31 |
| 35 | South Dakota | $54,915 | $26.40 |
| 36 | Louisiana | $55,901 | $26.88 |
| 37 | Ohio | $56,654 | $27.24 |
| 38 | North Carolina | $52,219 | $25.11 |
| 39 | Wisconsin | $56,543 | $27.18 |
| 40 | Arizona | $54,871 | $26.38 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $54,879 | $26.38 |
| 42 | Indiana | $54,974 | $26.43 |
| 43 | Pennsylvania | $54,162 | $26.04 |
| 44 | Michigan | $45,777 | $22.01 |
| 45 | New Mexico | $47,619 | $22.89 |
| 46 | Florida | $47,895 | $23.03 |
| 47 | Illinois | $50,390 | $24.23 |
| 48 | Minnesota | $48,850 | $23.49 |
| 49 | Alabama | $47,876 | $23.02 |
| 50 | Oklahoma | $47,801 | $22.98 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $44,255 | $21.28 |
Highest paying cities for political science instructors
The highest-paying cities for political science instructors are New York, NY, Santa Rosa, CA, and New Brunswick, NJ.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $83,647 | $40.21 |
| 2 | Santa Rosa, CA | $82,130 | $39.49 |
| 3 | New Brunswick, NJ | $71,703 | $34.47 |
| 4 | Kansas City, MO | $71,477 | $34.36 |
| 5 | Renton, WA | $63,943 | $30.74 |
| 6 | Baltimore, MD | $62,278 | $29.94 |
| 7 | Morgantown, WV | $58,470 | $28.11 |
| 8 | Colorado Springs, CO | $57,396 | $27.59 |
| 9 | Richmond, VA | $56,923 | $27.37 |
| 10 | Statesboro, GA | $55,298 | $26.59 |
| 11 | Columbia, SC | $54,784 | $26.34 |
| 12 | Tuscaloosa, AL | $47,838 | $23.00 |
| 13 | Albuquerque, NM | $47,688 | $22.93 |
Political science instructor salary details
A political science instructor's salary ranges from $35,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $89,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a political science instructor's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $89,000 | $7,417 | $43 |
| 75th Percentile | $72,000 | $6,000 | $35 |
| Average | $56,669 | $4,722 | $27 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,000 | $3,667 | $21 |
| 10th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
Highest paying political science instructor jobs
The highest paying types of political science instructors are government professor, international relations professor, and public policy professor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjunct Lecturer | $79,657 | $6,638 | $38.30 | 26,546 |
| Adjunct English Instructor | $55,901 | $4,658 | $26.88 | 38,052 |
| Instructor | $53,426 | $4,452 | $25.69 | 39,273 |
Top companies hiring political science instructors now:
Which companies pay political science instructors the most?
Political science instructor salaries at Loyola University Maryland and San Jose State University are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average political science instructor salary at companies like The City University of New York and Renton Technical College are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Loyola University Maryland | $74,312 | $35.73 |
| 2 | San Jose State University | $67,315 | $32.36 |
| 3 | The City University of New York | $67,256 | $32.33 |
| 4 | Renton Technical College | $66,964 | $32.19 |
| 5 | Central New Mexico Community College | $66,810 | $32.12 |
| 6 | Rutgers University | $64,217 | $30.87 |
| 7 | Kansas City Kansas Community College | $63,002 | $30.29 |
| 8 | Colgate University | $60,931 | $29.29 |
| 9 | Kennesaw State University | $58,577 | $28.16 |
| 10 | Virginia's Community Colleges | $58,511 | $28.13 |
| 11 | Dickinson College | $58,446 | $28.10 |
| 12 | Commonwealth | $57,538 | $27.66 |
| 13 | The University of Alabama | $57,348 | $27.57 |
| 14 | Skagit Valley College | $57,236 | $27.52 |
| 15 | Glendale Community College | $56,754 | $27.29 |
| 16 | Saginaw Valley State University | $56,319 | $27.08 |
| 17 | Grinnell College | $55,758 | $26.81 |
| 18 | Metropolitan State University of Denver | $54,533 | $26.22 |
| 19 | Georgia State University | $52,321 | $25.15 |
| 20 | Niagara County Community College | $52,027 | $25.01 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Political science instructor salary trends
The average political science instructor salary has risen by $9,443 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average political science instructor earned $47,226 annually, but today, they earn $56,669 a year. That works out to a 8% change in pay for political science instructors over the last decade.
Compare political science instructor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average political science instructor salary over time
Compare political science instructor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Political science instructor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $56,700 | $27.24 | -0.2% |
| 2025 | $56,800 | $27.30 | +3.0% |
| 2024 | $55,100 | $26.49 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $53,800 | $25.87 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | $52,300 | $25.16 | +3.6% |
Recently added political science instructor salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loyola | Affiliate Instructor-Political Science | Maryland | 06/27/2025 | $48,000 |
| Northeastern University | Lecturer-Political Science | Boston, MA | 06/17/2025 | $24,384 |
| CSUF | Political Science-Lecturer Pool | Fullerton, CA | 06/03/2025 | $66,084 |
| University of Minnesota | Continuous Search-Political Science or Public Law Instructor or Assistant Professor | Duluth, MN | 05/28/2025 | $49,892 |
| SCU Credit Union | Quarterly Lecturer-Political Science (Pool) | Santa Clara, CA | 05/27/2025 | $114,624 |
| Northeastern University | Lecturer-Political Science | Boston, MA | 05/25/2025 | $24,384 |
| Pageup | Temporary Lecturer In Political Science | Los Angeles, CA | 05/08/2025 | $103,116 |
| Oregon State University | Instructor Pool : Political Science | Corvallis, OR | 05/06/2025 | $46,000 |
| Northeastern University | Lecturer-Political Science | Boston, MA | 04/29/2025 | $24,384 |
| The University of Melbourne | Lecturer In Political Science (Teaching Specialist) | Parkville, MD | 03/29/2025 | $119,231 |
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