Political Scientist Salary in Arizona (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Political Scientists in Arizona, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Arizona Median
$108,770
per year
Hourly Rate
$52.29
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-23% vs US median
US median $142,080
State Rank
#10 of 13
50 employed here

How much does a Political Scientist make in Arizona?

Political Scientists in Arizona take home a median of $108,770 annually — roughly $52.29 an hour — which runs 23% below the national median of $142,080.

Within Arizona, entry-level pay starts around $71,800 while the top 10% make $163,430 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $81,200 and $159,120 a year.

Political Scientist salary range in Arizona

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$71,800$34.52
25th percentile (early career)$81,200$39.04
50th percentile (median)$108,770$52.29
75th percentile (experienced)$159,120$76.50
90th percentile (top earners)$163,430$78.57

How Arizona compares

Arizona ranks 10th out of 13 states and territories for Political Scientist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Maryland$153,380
2District of Columbia$152,530
3Washington$147,060
4Pennsylvania$140,020
5Massachusetts$133,930

Working as a Political Scientist in Arizona

Nationally, about 6,000 people work as Political Scientists in the United States. A doctoral or professional degree (8 or more years of higher education) is required.

Considering a move? Compare Arizona pay ($108,770) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Political Scientist make in Arizona?
The median Political Scientist salary in Arizona is $108,770 per year, or about $52.29 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $71,800 at the entry level to $163,430 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Arizona pay compare to the national average?
Arizona pays Political Scientists about 23% less than the national median of $142,080. Arizona ranks 10th out of 13 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Arizona a good state for Political Scientists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $108,770 a year. About 50 Political Scientists are employed in Arizona. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Arizona?
The highest-paying occupations in Arizona include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($558,970), Radiologist ($470,640), Surgeon, All Other ($415,980), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Political Scientist salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.