Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
The median pay for a political science teachers, postsecondary in Indiana is $83,770/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $52K at the entry level to $166K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.81), which stretches that salary to about $91,243 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,144/month, or 21.2% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Indiana. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $84K get you in Indiana?
About political science teachers, postsecondaries
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What this looks like in Indiana
Pay for political science teachers, postsecondary in Indiana runs about 15% below the U.S. median of $98K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,144/month, 21.2% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 91.81 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 8% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Lower pay, lower costs, Indiana can be a reasonable trade-off for political science teachers, postsecondarys who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Indiana
Entry-level political science teachers, postsecondaries (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $84K. Top earners bring in $166K or more, a $113K spread from bottom to top.
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary salary by metro in Indiana
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood | $83K | -1% | 80 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | $66K | -22% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track political science teachers, postsecondary salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Indiana numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a political science teachers, postsecondary afford a 2BR apartment alone in Indiana?
Yes — at the median salary of $84K, rent takes 21.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,144/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for political science teachers, postsecondaries in Indiana?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new political science teachers, postsecondaries typically earn — is $52K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,137/month. At HUD’s $1,144/month FMR, rent would take 36% 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 Indiana?
Local pay runs 15% below the national median — $84K here vs. $98K nationally. Cost of living is 8% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Indiana compare to the national average for political science teachers, postsecondaries?
Indiana pays $84K median vs. the U.S. average of $98K — that’s -15%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 91.81), the purchasing-power equivalent is $91K — below the national median.
How much do political science teachers, postsecondaries make in Indiana?
The median is $83,770 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $52,290, and experienced political science teachers, postsecondaries can clear $165,540. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $84K enough to live in Indiana?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,397/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,144/month, which eats 21.2% 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 Indiana?
Indiana has a Regional Price Parity of 91.81 (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 $91,243 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.