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Occupation · SOC 25-1065

Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary

There are 16,970 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $98,070 a year. The most jobs are in Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV.

Education & LibraryTypical education: Doctoral or professional degree
16,970
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$98,070
Median pay a year
Middle half: $73,260–$129,130
1,500
Annual openings
10-year change: +2.5%
255
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
+2.8% from the prior 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 65 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $102,310 · LCA filings 101,480$102,31010
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $107,070 · LCA filings 101,220$107,07010
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $131,690 · LCA filings 16670$131,69016
Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR–WAMedian pay $82,480 · LCA filings 1430$82,4801
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $119,590 · LCA filings 10420$119,59010
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $102,960 · LCA filings 2360$102,9602
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $79,660 · LCA filings 8340$79,6608
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $86,930 · LCA filings 11320$86,93011
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $100,700 · LCA filings 8320$100,7008
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $104,120 · LCA filings 7310$104,1207

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CAEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$150,940700
Ann Arbor, MIEmployment 140 · LCA filings 1$137,4301401
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHEmployment 670 · LCA filings 16$131,69067016
Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom, CAEmployment 70 · LCA filings 2$131,440702
Fresno, CAEmployment 30 · LCA filings 0$128,820300

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHEmployers with LCA filings 7 · Employment 670167670
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAEmployers with LCA filings 4 · Employment 320114320
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployers with LCA filings 5 · Employment 1,4801051,480
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployers with LCA filings 6 · Employment 1,2201061,220
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAEmployers with LCA filings 7 · Employment 420107420

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $88,150 · Level III $108,960 · Level IV $129,770$67,340$88,150$108,960$129,770
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $93,117 · Level III $122,523 · Level IV $151,930$63,710$93,117$122,523$151,930
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $117,543 · Level III $147,437 · Level IV $177,330$87,650$117,543$147,437$177,330
Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR–WALevel II $82,653 · Level III $96,897 · Level IV $111,140$68,410$82,653$96,897$111,140
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $106,023 · Level III $132,927 · Level IV $159,830$79,120$106,023$132,927$159,830
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $89,027 · Level III $112,783 · Level IV $136,540$65,270$89,027$112,783$136,540
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $75,480 · Level III $95,700 · Level IV $115,920$55,260$75,480$95,700$115,920
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $80,970 · Level III $101,360 · Level IV $121,750$60,580$80,970$101,360$121,750
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $81,360 · Level III $100,080 · Level IV $118,800$62,640$81,360$100,080$118,800
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $85,450 · Level III $109,850 · Level IV $134,250$61,050$85,450$109,850$134,250

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Political Science and GovernmentCIP 45.10 · Usually needs more educationOPT · up to 12 months1,637OPT · up to 12 months
International Relations and National Security StudiesCIP 45.09 · Usually needs more educationOPT · up to 12 months1,785OPT · up to 12 months
Public Policy AnalysisCIP 44.05 · Usually needs more educationOPT · up to 12 months702OPT · up to 12 months

See Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary in every metro area

All 65 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Education & Library

Teaching Assistants, except PostsecondaryElementary School Teachers, except Special EducationPreschool Teachers, except Special EducationSubstitute Teachers, Short-TermSecondary School Teachers, except Special and Career/Technical EducationSelf-Enrichment TeachersMiddle School Teachers, except Special and Career/Technical EducationTutors

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology