Political Scientists pay in District of Columbia
In District of Columbia, the median pay for political scientists is $73.33 an hour ($152,530 a year). About 3,070 people work in this job there.
That is 7% higher than the U.S. median ($142,080). District of Columbia ranks 2nd of 13 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for political scientists in District of Columbia
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $55.25 | $114,920 |
| 25% of workers | $61.83 | $128,610 |
| Half of workers (median) | $73.33 | $152,530 |
| 75% of workers | $86.77 | $180,480 |
| 90% of workers | $93.84 | $195,190 |
Political Scientists pay in District of Columbia metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | $156,730 | 3,700 |
District of Columbia unemployment rate: 5.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for political scientists
- Typical education to start: Master's degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 6 months to 1 year (O*NET)
- Job outlook: -2% over ten years, declining · about 400 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Economists | $167,590 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $128,440 |
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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.