Political Scientist Salary
Political Scientists earn a median $142,080 a year nationally. Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
U.S. median
$142,080
$68.31 per hour
Range
$83,350 – $195,190
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
5,540
across the U.S.
Political Scientist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$108,378
per year · effective tax rate 23.7%
$9,031Monthly
$4,516Twice a month
$4,168Every 2 weeks
$52.10Hourly
- 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 | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $153,380 | $109,008 | $101,400 – $195,190 | 100 |
| District of Columbia | $152,530 | $105,524 | $114,920 – $195,190 | 3,070 |
| Washington | $147,060 | $111,782 | $81,310 – $214,960 | 110 |
| Pennsylvania | $140,020 | $102,671 | $70,450 – $203,130 | 70 |
| Massachusetts | $133,930 | $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 | $90,306 | $63,590 – $142,080 | 40 |
| Texas | $114,050 | $89,064 | $87,530 – $139,010 | 160 |
| Arizona | $108,770 | $82,839 | $71,800 – $163,430 | 50 |
| Illinois | $103,780 | $76,847 | $71,990 – $127,190 | 110 |
| Michigan | $86,290 | $66,118 | $68,380 – $155,740 | 180 |
| New Hampshire | $74,560 | $61,283 | $34,960 – $174,670 | — |
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.