How much does a Political Scientist make?
The median pay for a Political Scientist in the United States is $142,080 per year — about $68.31 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $83,350, while the most experienced Political Scientists in the top 10% earn $195,190.
That is $80,690 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Political Scientist salary range by percentile
Half of all Political Scientists earn between $114,030 and $174,180 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,350 | $40.07 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $114,030 | $54.82 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $142,080 | $68.31 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $174,180 | $83.74 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,190 | $93.84 |
Highest-paying states for Political Scientist
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Maryland leads the country for Political Scientist pay at $153,380 a year, followed by District of Columbia ($152,530) and Washington ($147,060). At the other end, New Hampshire posts the lowest median at $74,560 — a gap of $78,820 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland | $153,380 | $73.74 | +8% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $152,530 | $73.33 | +7% |
| 3 | Washington | $147,060 | $70.70 | +4% |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | $140,020 | $67.32 | -1% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $133,930 | $64.39 | -6% |
Political Scientist salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 13 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 6,000 people work as Political Scientists in the United States. On qualifications: a doctoral or professional degree (8 or more years of higher education) is required, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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