Political Scientists Salary
The median political scientists salary in the United States is $142,080 per year ($68.31/hour). Salaries range from $83,350 at the entry level to $195,190+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 5,540 political scientists jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to decline 3.1% through 2034.
Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Median Salary
$142,080
per year
Hourly Rate
$68.31
per hour
Employment
5,540
jobs in the U.S.
Salary Distribution
10th percentile
$83,350
25th percentile
$114,030
Median
$142,080
75th percentile
$174,180
90th percentile
$195,190
Job Growth (2024-2034)
-3.1%
Decline
Annual Openings
500
jobs/year (growth + replacements)
Education Required
Master's degree
Political Scientists Salary by State
Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →Salary Map — Click a state for details
$75K$153K■ No data
Top Paying States
Maryland
$153K
+8%
District of Columbia
$153K
+7%
Washington
$147K
+4%
Pennsylvania
$140K
-1%
Massachusetts
$134K
-6%
Colorado
$127K
-10%
Oregon
$119K
-16%
Ohio
$119K
-16%
Texas
$114K
-20%
Arizona
$109K
-23%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
| State | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $153,380 | +8.0% |
| District of Columbia | $152,530 | +7.4% |
| Washington | $147,060 | +3.5% |
| Pennsylvania | $140,020 | -1.4% |
| Massachusetts | $133,930 | -5.7% |
| Colorado | $127,260 | -10.4% |
| Oregon | $119,460 | -15.9% |
| Ohio | $119,370 | -16.0% |
| Texas | $114,050 | -19.7% |
| Arizona | $108,770 | -23.4% |
Showing 1–10 of 13
Political Scientists Salary by Metro Area
Limited metro data available — BLS only publishes data for areas with sufficient survey responses.
| Metro Area | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $156,730 | +10.3% |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $153,960 | +8.4% |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $133,930 | -5.7% |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $114,320 | -19.5% |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $103,780 | -27.0% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $86,290 | -39.3% |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $79,990 | -43.7% |
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
How does this compare to pro athletes?
A political scientists earning $142,080/year would need 420 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 450 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
See all sports & celebrity salaries →📈 See how political scientists salaries have changed over the past decade.
View Political Scientists salary trend (2011–2024) →