Political Scientist Salary in the U.S.
Median annual pay in the U.S.
$142,080
$68.31/hour
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Pay
| Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $83,350 | $40.07 |
| 25th percentile | $114,030 | $54.82 |
| Median | $142,080 | $68.31 |
| 75th percentile | $174,180 | $83.74 |
| 90th percentile | $195,190 | $93.84 |
Employment
- Employment in the U.S.
- 5,540
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Comparison
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
| Rank | Median annual pay | Adjusted for cost of living (annual) |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | ||
| 1st | $153,380 | $146,133 1st |
| District of Columbia | ||
| 2nd | $152,530 | $138,789 3rd |
| Washington | ||
| 3rd | $147,060 | $137,423 4th |
| Pennsylvania | ||
| 4th | $140,020 | $143,504 2nd |
| Massachusetts | ||
| 5th | $133,930 | $126,639 6th |
| Colorado | ||
| 6th | $127,260 | $123,491 7th |
| Oregon | ||
| 7th | $119,460 | $115,576 9th |
| Ohio | ||
| 8th | $119,370 | $128,668 5th |
| Texas | ||
| 9th | $114,050 | $117,508 8th |
| Arizona | ||
| 10th | $108,770 | $108,039 10th |
| Illinois | ||
| 11th | $103,780 | $103,824 11th |
| Michigan | ||
| 12th | $86,290 | $89,683 12th |
| New Hampshire | ||
| 13th | $74,560 | $71,579 13th |
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Similar occupations
Related occupations from O*NET, in O*NET's order, with their BLS median pay. Each figure shows the place it is for.
- Political Science Teacher, Postsecondary salary in the U.S.
$98,070/year U.S.
- Sociologist salary in the U.S.
$106,030/year U.S.
- Economist salary in the U.S.
$124,720/year U.S.
- Law Teacher, Postsecondary salary in the U.S.
$128,500/year U.S.
- Sociology Teacher, Postsecondary salary in the U.S.
$84,290/year U.S.
- Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health salary in the U.S.
$82,220/year U.S.
Outlook
- Projected employment change, 2025–35 (U.S.)
- −2.0%
- Typical education needed for entry (U.S.)
- Master's degree
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35
Sources and update
- Wages and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
- Related occupations: O*NET® 31.0 Database, CC BY 4.0. Attributions
- Employment projections and typical education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
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