Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
The median pay for a political science teachers, postsecondary in Columbia, SC is $101,220/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $61K at the entry level to $211K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.66), which stretches that salary to about $108,072 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,276/month, or 19.9% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $101K get you in Columbia?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Columbia’s Regional Price Parity (93.66). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About political science teachers, postsecondaries
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What this looks like in Columbia
Political science teachers, postsecondary pay in Columbia tracks closely to the national median, $101K locally vs. $98K nationwide, a 3% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,276/month, 20.5% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.66 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 6% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for political science teachers, postsecondaries in metros near Columbia, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston | $78K | $77K |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell | $87K | $87K |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $78K | $80K |
| Greensboro-High Point | $78K | $83K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Columbia, SC
Entry-level political science teachers, postsecondaries (10th percentile) start around $61K. Mid-career wages sit at $101K. Top earners bring in $211K or more, a $150K spread from bottom to top.
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $128K | +31% | 920 |
| California | $125K | +27% | 1,060 |
| New Hampshire | $124K | +27% | 90 |
| Montana | $109K | +11% | N/A |
| Vermont | $107K | +10% | 80 |
| Michigan | $107K | +9% | 380 |
| Maryland | $106K | +8% | 370 |
| New York | $104K | +6% | 1,460 |
| District of Columbia | $102K | +4% | 1,120 |
| Virginia | $101K | +3% | 830 |
| Rhode Island | $101K | +3% | 170 |
| Washington | $101K | +3% | 450 |
| Illinois | $101K | +3% | 460 |
| New Jersey | $100K | +2% | 650 |
| Connecticut | $100K | +2% | 320 |
| Arizona | $100K | +2% | 190 |
| Pennsylvania | $97K | -1% | 660 |
| Minnesota | $97K | -1% | 250 |
| Maine | $97K | -1% | 60 |
| Missouri | $95K | -4% | 280 |
| Nevada | $93K | -5% | 70 |
| Louisiana | $88K | -10% | 70 |
| Texas | $87K | -11% | 1,890 |
| Nebraska | $86K | -12% | 50 |
| Wyoming | $85K | -14% | 40 |
| Indiana | $84K | -15% | 630 |
| Oregon | $84K | -15% | 540 |
| Wisconsin | $83K | -15% | 290 |
| Tennessee | $81K | -17% | 250 |
| New Mexico | $81K | -18% | 40 |
| Utah | $81K | -18% | 70 |
| Iowa | $80K | -18% | 100 |
| Ohio | $80K | -18% | 460 |
| Georgia | $80K | -19% | 470 |
| Kansas | $79K | -20% | 80 |
| North Carolina | $79K | -20% | 440 |
| Kentucky | $79K | -20% | 140 |
| South Carolina | $79K | -20% | 210 |
| Florida | $78K | -21% | 270 |
| Alabama | $78K | -21% | 180 |
| West Virginia | $77K | -21% | 70 |
| South Dakota | $73K | -26% | 30 |
| Oklahoma | $63K | -35% | 90 |
| Mississippi | $59K | -40% | 90 |
| Arkansas | $58K | -41% | 80 |
Showing 1–10 of 45 states with published data
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track political science teachers, postsecondary salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Columbia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a political science teachers, postsecondary afford a 2BR apartment alone in Columbia?
Yes — at the median salary of $101K, rent takes 20.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,276/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for political science teachers, postsecondaries in Columbia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new political science teachers, postsecondaries typically earn — is $61K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,684/month. At HUD’s $1,276/month FMR, rent would take 35% 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 Columbia?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $101K locally vs. $98K nationally, a 3% difference.
How does Columbia compare to the national average for political science teachers, postsecondaries?
Columbia pays $101K median vs. the U.S. average of $98K — that’s +3%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.66), the purchasing-power equivalent is $108K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do political science teachers, postsecondaries make in Columbia, SC?
The median is $101,220 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $61,400, and experienced political science teachers, postsecondaries can clear $211,170. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $101K enough to live in Columbia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,229/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,276/month, which eats 20.5% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a political science teachers, postsecondary salary go in Columbia?
Columbia has a Regional Price Parity of 93.66 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median political science teachers, postsecondary salary is worth about $108,072 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.