Political Scientist Salary in Washington, DC
Political Scientists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $156,730 a year — 10% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $108,037 take-home, or $9,003 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median political scientist salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$26,349
- Social Security (6.2%)$9,717
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,273
- District of Columbia income tax$10,354
- Take-home pay$108,037
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Political Scientist pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $118,290 | $56.87 | $84,961 | $7,080 |
| 25th percentile | $128,610 | $61.83 | $91,208 | $7,601 |
| Median (50th) | $156,730 | $75.35 | $108,037 | $9,003 |
| 75th percentile | $185,220 | $89.05 | $125,133 | $10,428 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,190 | $93.84 | $131,718 | $10,977 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $156,730 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median political scientist's $108,037 take-home pay has the buying power of $99,222 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 33.1× the national concentration of political scientist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for political scientists, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #1 of 1 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $156,730 | $108,037 | $99,222 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 1 metros →
About the job: political scientists
Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. May study topics, such as public opinion, political decisionmaking, and ideology. May analyze the structure and operation of governments, as well as various political entities. May conduct public opinion surveys, analyze election results, or analyze public documents.
- Typical education
- Master's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -2.0% (declining)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a political scientist make in Washington, DC?
The median political scientist salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $156,730 a year, or about $75.35 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $128,610 and $185,220.
What is a political scientist’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $156,730 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $108,037 a year ($9,003 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $10,354 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a political scientist?
Pay here is 10% above the national median of $142,080. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $99,222 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #1 of 1 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a political scientist afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 22% of a median political scientist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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