Political Scientist Salary in Colorado (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Colorado Median
$127,260
per year
Hourly Rate
$61.18
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-10% vs US median
US median $142,080
State Rank
#6 of 13
30 employed here

How much does a Political Scientist make in Colorado?

Political Scientists in Colorado take home a median of $127,260 annually — roughly $61.18 an hour — which runs 10% below the national median of $142,080.

Within Colorado, entry-level pay starts around $80,010 while the top 10% make $197,490 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $82,540 and $175,530 a year.

Political Scientist salary range in Colorado

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$80,010$38.47
25th percentile (early career)$82,540$39.68
50th percentile (median)$127,260$61.18
75th percentile (experienced)$175,530$84.39
90th percentile (top earners)$197,490$94.95

How Colorado compares

Colorado ranks 6th 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 Colorado

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 Colorado pay ($127,260) 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 Colorado?
The median Political Scientist salary in Colorado is $127,260 per year, or about $61.18 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $80,010 at the entry level to $197,490 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Colorado pay compare to the national average?
Colorado pays Political Scientists about 10% less than the national median of $142,080. Colorado ranks 6th out of 13 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Colorado a good state for Political Scientists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $127,260 a year. About 30 Political Scientists are employed in Colorado. 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 Colorado?
The highest-paying occupations in Colorado include Orthodontist ($416,000), Dermatologist ($398,810), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($385,410), 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.