How to Hire a Political Science Professor

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

The hiring market for political science professors

There are about 21,500 political science professors employed in the U.S., with roughly 1,500 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +2.5% from 2025–35 (about as fast as average). Most openings come from replacing workers who retire or change careers, so a steady pipeline matters.

Pay benchmarks for offers

*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.

What to look for

Where to find political science professors

• College education programs and student-teaching placements
• Alternative certification and residency programs
• Substitute and paraprofessional pools
• Community colleges with early childhood (CDA) programs
• Job postings that use common alternate titles: Government Professor, Political Science Faculty, International Relations Professor, Public Policy Professor

Screening checklist

• State license or certification verification where required
• Fingerprint background checks and child abuse registry clearances
• CPR and first aid certification for childcare roles
• A sample lesson or classroom observation

Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.

Interview questions to ask

Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.

1. “Describe your research.”

What a strong answer includes: Explain.

2. “How do you handle polarized discussions?”

What a strong answer includes: Explain.

3. “What courses can you teach?”

What a strong answer includes: List.

4. “How do you engage the public?”

What a strong answer includes: Share.

5. “How do you mentor?”

What a strong answer includes: Explain.

Practical skills checks

A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:

• Run a Model UN Simulation (see the steps)
• Keep Political Discussions Civil (see the steps)
• Teach Students to Read a Poll (see the steps)

Red flags

• Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
• Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
• Unfamiliar with core terms such as Tenure, Adjunct, Syllabus
• Negative talk about every past employer or coworker

Onboard for retention

The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Political Science Professor 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Political Science Professor training. Show them the path forward: Graduate Instructor → Assistant Professor → Associate Professor → Professor or Chair.

Hiring political science professors: FAQ

How much should I pay a political science professor?

The U.S. median wage for political science professors is $98,070 per year, according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($73,260), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($129,130). Adjust for your local market.

What qualifications should a political science professor have?

BLS lists “doctoral or professional degree” as the typical entry-level education. Look for Ph.D. in political science and Research grants where relevant, plus skills such as political theory, research methods, and statistics.

How long does it take to train a new political science professor?

Becoming qualified typically takes 5–7 years after a bachelor’s. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “none.”