SOC 25-1065 · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro

Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in Riverside, CA

The average salary for political science teachers, postsecondary in Riverside, California is $161,260 a year, according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $150,940: half of the 70 people in this job in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 49% more than the U.S. average for this job ($108,100).

$161,260average per year

Median $150,940Take-home ≈ $110,582

  • $83K10th
  • $112K25th
  • $151KMedian
  • $209K75th
  • $251K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

70people in this job
+49%vs U.S. average
#1 of 7California metros
106cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary pay range in Riverside

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $83,370 a year or less, while the top 10% make $250,700 or more. The middle half of political science teachers, postsecondary in Riverside earn between $112,220 and $209,350.

  • $83K10th
  • $112K25th
  • $151KMedian
  • $209K75th
  • $251K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$161,260$13,438—
Median$150,940$12,578—
Entry level (25th percentile)$112,220$9,352—
Experienced (75th percentile)$209,350$17,446—

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year (BLS publishes this job's pay as annual only). Hourly to annual salary.

Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary pay in Riverside vs. California and the U.S.

Political science teachers, postsecondary in Riverside earn 18% more than the California average ($136,290) and 49% more than the U.S. average ($108,100). At the median the gap is +54% against the U.S. median of $98,070.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Riverside$161,260$150,940$83,370$250,70070
California$136,290$124,890$67,510$212,2101,060
United States$108,100$98,070$56,450$174,66016,970

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary salary after taxes in Riverside

On the average salary of $161,260, a single filer in Riverside takes home about $110,582 a year, or $9,215 a month and $4,253 every two weeks. Taxes take 31% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.

California paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Riverside a good place for political science teachers, postsecondary? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Riverside area are 6% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 106.4), so the average $161,260 buys what about $151,500 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 3.1 times the median wage of all jobs in Riverside ($48,400). A typical home costs $585,378, or 3.6 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $161,260 is worth in another city

Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary salary in other California cities

Riverside ranks 1st of 7 California metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.

All Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary salaries in California

Highest-paying cities for political science teachers, postsecondary

Ann Arbor, MI pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($166,230).

Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary salary by city

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Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary salary in Riverside: questions

What is the entry-level political science teachers, postsecondary salary in Riverside?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $83,370 a year and the 25th percentile is $112,220, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the political science teachers, postsecondary take-home pay in Riverside?

About $110,582 a year ($9,215 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $161,260. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.

Do political science teachers, postsecondary earn more in Riverside than elsewhere?

The average here is 49% more than the U.S. average for this job ($108,100).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 25-1065; area Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA (40140). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.7%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 0.35, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.35).

Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.