Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
The median pay for a political science teachers, postsecondary in California is $124,890/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $68K at the entry level to $212K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 106.14), so that salary is closer to $117,665 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,471/month, about 33.5% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across California. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $125K get you in California?
About political science teachers, postsecondaries
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What this looks like in California
California sits well above the national pay line for political science teachers, postsecondary, local pay runs about 27% higher than the U.S. median of $98K. Rent runs $2,471/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 33.6% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost-of-living overall is 6% above the national average (BEA RPP 106.14), so groceries and services cost more too. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level political science teachers, postsecondaries (10th percentile) start around $68K. Mid-career wages sit at $125K. Top earners bring in $212K or more, a $145K spread from bottom to top.
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary salary by metro in California
7 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $151K | +21% | 70 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $131K | +5% | 70 |
| Fresno | $129K | +3% | 30 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $128K | +3% | 60 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $120K | -4% | 420 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $119K | -5% | 120 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $105K | -16% | 130 |
Compare to other states
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a political science teachers, postsecondary afford a 2BR apartment alone in California?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $125K, rent takes 33.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,471/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $2,200/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for political science teachers, postsecondaries in California?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new political science teachers, postsecondaries typically earn — is $68K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,051/month. At HUD’s $2,471/month FMR, rent would take 61% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is political science teachers, postsecondary a high-paying job in California?
Local pay is 27% above the national median — $125K here vs. $98K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 6% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does California compare to the national average for political science teachers, postsecondaries?
California pays $125K median vs. the U.S. average of $98K — that’s +27%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 106.14), the purchasing-power equivalent is $118K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do political science teachers, postsecondaries make in California?
The median is $124,890 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $67,510, and experienced political science teachers, postsecondaries can clear $212,210. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $125K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,364/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,471/month, which eats 33.6% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a political science teachers, postsecondary salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 106.14 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median political science teachers, postsecondary salary is worth about $117,665 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do political science teachers, postsecondaries get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.