Political Scientist Salary in Ohio (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Ohio Median
$119,370
per year
Hourly Rate
$57.39
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-16% vs US median
US median $142,080
State Rank
#8 of 13
40 employed here

How much does a Political Scientist make in Ohio?

Political Scientists in Ohio take home a median of $119,370 annually — roughly $57.39 an hour — which runs 16% below the national median of $142,080.

Within Ohio, entry-level pay starts around $63,590 while the top 10% make $142,080 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $94,700 and $135,620 a year.

Political Scientist salary range in Ohio

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$63,590$30.57
25th percentile (early career)$94,700$45.53
50th percentile (median)$119,370$57.39
75th percentile (experienced)$135,620$65.20
90th percentile (top earners)$142,080$68.31

How Ohio compares

Ohio ranks 8th 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 Ohio

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 Ohio pay ($119,370) 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 Ohio?
The median Political Scientist salary in Ohio is $119,370 per year, or about $57.39 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $63,590 at the entry level to $142,080 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Ohio pay compare to the national average?
Ohio pays Political Scientists about 16% less than the national median of $142,080. Ohio ranks 8th out of 13 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Ohio a good state for Political Scientists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $119,370 a year. About 40 Political Scientists are employed in Ohio. 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 Ohio?
The highest-paying occupations in Ohio include Surgeon, All Other ($554,220), Cardiologist ($504,260), Anesthesiologist ($490,530), 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.