Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
The median pay for a political science teachers, postsecondary in Massachusetts is $128,150/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $78K at the entry level to $219K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.09), that's roughly $128,035 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,347/month, about 30.2% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Massachusetts. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $128K get you in Massachusetts?
About political science teachers, postsecondaries
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What this looks like in Massachusetts
Massachusetts sits well above the national pay line for political science teachers, postsecondary, local pay runs about 31% higher than the U.S. median of $98K. Rent runs $2,347/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 30.6% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 100.09) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Massachusetts
Entry-level political science teachers, postsecondaries (10th percentile) start around $78K. Mid-career wages sit at $128K. Top earners bring in $219K or more, a $141K spread from bottom to top.
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary salary by metro in Massachusetts
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton | $132K | +3% | 670 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton | $105K | -18% | 100 |
| Worcester | $102K | -20% | 100 |
Compare to other states
Track political science teachers, postsecondary salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Massachusetts numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a political science teachers, postsecondary afford a 2BR apartment alone in Massachusetts?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $128K, rent takes 30.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,347/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $2,300/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 Massachusetts?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new political science teachers, postsecondaries typically earn — is $78K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,703/month. At HUD’s $2,347/month FMR, rent would take 50% 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 Massachusetts?
Local pay is 31% above the national median — $128K here vs. $98K nationally.
How does Massachusetts compare to the national average for political science teachers, postsecondaries?
Massachusetts pays $128K median vs. the U.S. average of $98K — that’s +31%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 100.09), the purchasing-power equivalent is $128K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do political science teachers, postsecondaries make in Massachusetts?
The median is $128,150 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $78,380, and experienced political science teachers, postsecondaries can clear $219,420. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $128K enough to live in Massachusetts?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,661/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,347/month, which eats 30.6% 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 Massachusetts?
Massachusetts has a Regional Price Parity of 100.09 (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 $128,035 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.