Political Scientist Salary in Texas (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Texas Median
$114,050
per year
Hourly Rate
$54.83
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-20% vs US median
US median $142,080
State Rank
#9 of 13
160 employed here

How much does a Political Scientist make in Texas?

A Political Scientist working in Texas earns a median salary of $114,050 per year, or about $54.83 per hour. That is 20% below the national median of $142,080 for this occupation.

Within Texas, entry-level pay starts around $87,530 while the top 10% make $139,010 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $101,900 and $128,320 a year.

Political Scientist salary range in Texas

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$87,530$42.08
25th percentile (early career)$101,900$48.99
50th percentile (median)$114,050$54.83
75th percentile (experienced)$128,320$61.69
90th percentile (top earners)$139,010$66.83

How Texas compares

Texas ranks 9th 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 Texas

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 Texas pay ($114,050) 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 Texas?
The median Political Scientist salary in Texas is $114,050 per year, or about $54.83 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $87,530 at the entry level to $139,010 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Texas pay compare to the national average?
Texas pays Political Scientists about 20% less than the national median of $142,080. Texas ranks 9th out of 13 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Texas a good state for Political Scientists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $114,050 a year. About 160 Political Scientists are employed in Texas. 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 Texas?
The highest-paying occupations in Texas include Cardiologist ($410,150), Neurologist ($360,640), Physician, Pathologists ($345,830), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Political Scientist salary report

Related salaries

Epidemiologist

$87,220
median pay · 12,000 employed

Clinical and Counseling Psychologists

$100,580
median pay · 76,000 employed

Life Scientist, All Other

$93,750
median pay · 7,000 employed

Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other

$101,110
median pay · 37,000 employed

Astronomer

$128,820
median pay · 2,000 employed

Biological Scientist, All Other

$98,920
median pay · 56,000 employed
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.