How much does a political science teachers, postsecondary make?

The median pay is $45.52 per hour — roughly $94,500 a year. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a political science teachers, postsecondary?

The typical entry-level education is: Doctoral degree. Overall preparation level: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).

What does a political science teachers, postsecondary actually do all day?

Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as classical political thought, international relations, and democracy and citizenship. 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.

Education

Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary

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.

What it pays
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $45.52/hr — about $94,500 a year. (Annual figure is approximate: hourly × 2,080.)

What you'd actually do

Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as classical political thought, international relations, and democracy and citizenship.
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.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: Doctoral degree. Overall preparation: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).

The feel of the work

The work is mostly indoors; it rewards working independently. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 0.3% of political science teachers, postsecondary are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are people-focused, analytical and creative.

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Related careers

Quick questions

How much does a political science teachers, postsecondary make?: The median pay is $45.52 per hour — roughly $94,500 a year. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Do you need a degree to be a political science teachers, postsecondary?: The typical entry-level education is: Doctoral degree. Overall preparation level: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).
What does a political science teachers, postsecondary actually do all day?: Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as classical political thought, international relations, and democracy and citizenship. 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.

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.

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