Political Scientist Salary in Maryland (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Maryland Median
$153,380
per year
Hourly Rate
$73.74
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+8% vs US median
US median $142,080
State Rank
#1 of 13
100 employed here

How much does a Political Scientist make in Maryland?

A Political Scientist working in Maryland earns a median salary of $153,380 per year, or about $73.74 per hour. That is 8% above the national median of $142,080 for this occupation.

Within Maryland, entry-level pay starts around $101,400 while the top 10% make $195,190 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $115,650 and $183,080 a year.

Political Scientist salary range in Maryland

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$101,400$48.75
25th percentile (early career)$115,650$55.60
50th percentile (median)$153,380$73.74
75th percentile (experienced)$183,080$88.02
90th percentile (top earners)$195,190$93.84

How Maryland compares

Maryland ranks 1st 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 Maryland

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 Maryland pay ($153,380) 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 Maryland?
The median Political Scientist salary in Maryland is $153,380 per year, or about $73.74 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $101,400 at the entry level to $195,190 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Maryland pay compare to the national average?
Maryland pays Political Scientists about 8% more than the national median of $142,080. Maryland ranks 1st out of 13 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Maryland a good state for Political Scientists?
Yes on pay — Maryland pays above the national median for this occupation, at $153,380 a year. About 100 Political Scientists are employed in Maryland. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Maryland?
The highest-paying occupations in Maryland include Radiologist ($581,510), Emergency Medicine Physician ($451,620), Dermatologist ($442,210), 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.