Political Scientists pay in the United States
In the U.S., the median pay for political scientists is $68.31 an hour ($142,080 a year). About 5,540 people work in this job there.
Pay range for political scientists in the U.S.
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $40.07 | $83,350 |
| 25% of workers | $54.82 | $114,030 |
| Half of workers (median) | $68.31 | $142,080 |
| 75% of workers | $83.74 | $174,180 |
| 90% of workers | $93.84 | $195,190 |
Best-paying states for political scientists
| State | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $153,380 | 100 |
| District of Columbia | $152,530 | 3,070 |
| Washington | $147,060 | 110 |
| Pennsylvania | $140,020 | 70 |
| Massachusetts | $133,930 | 170 |
| Colorado | $127,260 | 30 |
| Oregon | $119,460 | 0 |
| Ohio | $119,370 | 40 |
| Texas | $114,050 | 160 |
| Arizona | $108,770 | 50 |
Pay by state
- District of Columbia · $152,530
Education, experience and outlook for political scientists
- Typical education to start: Master's degree (BLS)
- Job outlook: -2% over ten years, declining · about 400 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $100,580 |
| School Psychologists | $95,990 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $89,320 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $101,110 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $110,840 |
| Economists | $124,720 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $70,770 |
| Survey Researchers | $69,460 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.