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Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary vs. Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education: Who Earns More?

Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary out-earn Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education by $34K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary land at $98,070 and Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education at $63,970. The education gap is real: political science teachers, postsecondary programs typically require bachelor's degree, while elementary school teachers, except special education programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary is Massachusetts ($128,150); for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education it's Washington ($102,350).

Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Median salary
$98,070
$63,970
Hourly rate
$null/hr
$null/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$56,450
$47,960
Senior level (90th %)
$174,660
$104,340
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
16,970
1,388,390
Job growth (10-year)
2%
-2%
Category
Education
Education
Top-paying state
Massachusetts
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary median pay.

State
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Massachusetts
$128,150
$94,000
California
$124,890
$99,650
Maryland
$105,630
$77,680
New York
$104,050
$85,760
District of Columbia
$102,310
$96,580
Rhode Island
$101,320
$90,930
Washington
$101,140
$102,350
Illinois
$100,700
$75,320
New Jersey
$100,260
$78,200
Connecticut
$100,230
$80,600
Pennsylvania
$97,230
$77,060
Minnesota
$97,170
$76,350
Oregon
$83,580
$77,130
Utah
$80,610
$74,810
Ohio
$80,090
$77,370

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary or Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?

Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary earn more nationally. The median is $98,070 for Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary versus $63,970 for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, a difference of $34K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary or Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?

Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary has the better 10-year outlook at 2% projected growth, compared to -2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary or Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?

Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary typically requires bachelor's degree. Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary get paid the most?

Massachusetts is the top-paying state for Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary at $128,150/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary vs. Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Massachusetts, Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary earn $128,150 vs. $94,000 for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary salary breakdownView →Full Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary breakdownView →Best cities for Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education by take-home payExplore →How to become a political science teachers, postsecondaryGuide →How to become a elementary school teachers, except special educationGuide →