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.
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 →
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%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
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- Physical Scientists, All Other — $170,980
- Economist — $156,750
- Astronomer — $156,750
- Chemist — $144,680
- Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other — $138,250
- Psychologists, All Other — $129,730
- Atmospheric and Space Scientist — $117,600
- Biological Scientists, All Other — $114,920
- Microbiologist — $114,800
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist — $109,170
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — $108,160