Political Scientist Salary
Political Scientists earn a median $142,080 a year nationally. Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
What political scientists do
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)
- Openings per year
- 400
- Self-employed
- 3%
Employment of political scientists is projected to shrink 2.0% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 400 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Political Scientist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$22,833
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,809
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,060
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$108,378
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,350 | $40.07 | $67,467 |
| 25th percentile | $114,030 | $54.82 | $89,050 |
| Median (50th) | $142,080 | $68.31 | $108,378 |
| 75th percentile | $174,180 | $83.74 | $130,318 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,190 | $93.84 | $145,341 |
Best cities for political scientists (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $156,730 | $108,037 | $99,222 | 3,700 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Washington, DC — $156,730
Political Scientist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $153,380 | +3.2% | $109,008 | $101,400 – $195,190 | 100 |
| District of Columbia | $152,530 | −0.5% | $105,524 | $114,920 – $195,190 | 3,070 |
| Washington | $147,060 | +4.3% | $111,782 | $81,310 – $214,960 | 110 |
| Pennsylvania | $140,020 | +5.6% | $102,671 | $70,450 – $203,130 | 70 |
| Massachusetts | $133,930 | +2.6% | $96,331 | $76,010 – $217,820 | 170 |
| Colorado | $127,260 | — | $93,357 | $80,010 – $197,490 | 30 |
| Oregon | $119,460 | — | $83,247 | $107,230 – $119,460 | — |
| Ohio | $119,370 | +20.4% | $90,306 | $63,590 – $142,080 | 40 |
| Texas | $114,050 | +2.1% | $89,064 | $87,530 – $139,010 | 160 |
| Arizona | $108,770 | +4.5% | $82,839 | $71,800 – $163,430 | 50 |
| Illinois | $103,780 | +5.6% | $76,847 | $71,990 – $127,190 | 110 |
| Michigan | $86,290 | −31.4% | $66,118 | $68,380 – $155,740 | 180 |
| New Hampshire | $74,560 | +17.4% | $61,283 | $34,960 – $174,670 | — |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geographer | $102,040 | Bachelor's degree | -2.1% |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $101,110 | Bachelor's degree | -0.2% |
| Historian | $76,750 | Master's degree | +3.0% |
| Anthropologist and Archeologist | $70,770 | Master's degree | +6.0% |
| Economist | $124,720 | Master's degree | +4.7% |
| Psychologists, All Other | $110,840 | Master's degree | +2.3% |
| Sociologist | $106,030 | Master's degree | +3.8% |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $100,580 | Doctoral or professional degree | +11.7% |
| School Psychologist | $95,990 | Master's degree | +0.8% |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | $193,950 | Master's degree | +6.5% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a political scientist make?
The national median salary for political scientists is $142,080 a year ($68.31 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $83,350 and the top 10% earn over $195,190. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays political scientists the most?
Maryland has the highest median pay at $153,380. After taxes and local prices, Washington, DC offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many political scientists are there in the U.S.?
About 5,540 people work as political scientists nationwide.