Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
The median pay for a political science teachers, postsecondary in Harrisonburg, VA is $97,370/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $75K at the entry level to $153K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.89), which stretches that salary to about $102,614 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,322/month, or 21.5% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $97K get you in Harrisonburg?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Harrisonburg’s Regional Price Parity (94.89). 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 Harrisonburg
Political science teachers, postsecondary pay in Harrisonburg tracks closely to the national median, $97K locally vs. $98K nationwide, a 1% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,322/month, 22.1% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.89 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 5% 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 Harrisonburg, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond | $92K | $94K |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | $99K | $101K |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | $102K | $94K |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson | $102K | $98K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Harrisonburg, VA
Entry-level political science teachers, postsecondaries (10th percentile) start around $75K. Mid-career wages sit at $97K. Top earners bring in $153K or more, a $78K 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 Harrisonburg numbers change.
Related careers in Education
Frequently asked questions
Can a political science teachers, postsecondary afford a 2BR apartment alone in Harrisonburg?
Yes — at the median salary of $97K, rent takes 22.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,322/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for political science teachers, postsecondaries in Harrisonburg?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new political science teachers, postsecondaries typically earn — is $75K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,514/month. At HUD’s $1,322/month FMR, rent would take 29% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is political science teachers, postsecondary a high-paying job in Harrisonburg?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $97K locally vs. $98K nationally, a 1% difference.
How does Harrisonburg compare to the national average for political science teachers, postsecondaries?
Harrisonburg pays $97K median vs. the U.S. average of $98K — that’s -1%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $103K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do political science teachers, postsecondaries make in Harrisonburg, VA?
The median is $97,370 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $75,240, and experienced political science teachers, postsecondaries can clear $152,970. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $97K enough to live in Harrisonburg?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,984/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,322/month, which eats 22.1% 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 Harrisonburg?
Harrisonburg has a Regional Price Parity of 94.89 (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 $102,614 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.