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Political scientist: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 29, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$142,080median pay per year, or $68.31 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $83,350lowest 10% earn less
  2. $114,03025th percentile
  3. $142,080median
  4. $174,18075th percentile
  5. $195,190top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

Political scientists had a median pay of $142,080 a year in May 2025[1]. BLS projects employment to decline 2% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
-2%[2]
Openings per year
400[5]
Typical entry education
Master's degree[6]

How much do political scientists make?

The median wage for political scientists was $142,080 a year, or $68.31 an hour[1]. The median splits workers into a higher-paid half and a lower-paid half[1]. The average was $142,510 a year, or $68.51 an hour[7]. The median for all occupations was $50,980[4].

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $83,350 a year, and the 90th percentile was $195,190[3]. BLS reports percentile wages and has no starting salary figure[8].

Percentile Annual wage Hourly wage
10th[3][9] $83,350 $40.07
25th[3][9] $114,030 $54.82
Median[1] $142,080 $68.31
75th[3][9] $174,180 $83.74
90th[3][9] $195,190 $93.84

This is a small field, with about 5,540 wage and salary jobs in May 2025[10]. The figures cover workers paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed and do not include benefits or nonproduction bonuses[11].

Pay by state and city

Wages are published for only 12 states and DC[12]. Maryland was listed first with a median of $153,380[12]. The District of Columbia followed at $152,530, then Washington at $147,060[12]. The lowest medians in the list were Michigan at $86,290 and New Hampshire at $74,560[12].

The District of Columbia had by far the most jobs at 3,070[13]. Michigan had 180, Massachusetts 170, Texas 160 and New York 130[13].

Among metro areas, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV had a median of $156,730 and about 3,700 jobs[14][15]. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH had a median of $133,930[14].

Show median pay in 12 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Maryland[12]$153,380100
District of Columbia$152,5303,070
Washington$147,060110
Pennsylvania$140,02070
Massachusetts$133,930170
Colorado$127,26030
Oregon$119,460n/a
Ohio$119,37040
Texas$114,050160
Arizona$108,77050
Illinois$103,780110
Michigan$86,290180
New Hampshire$74,560n/a

How to become a political scientist

There are other routes. Some employers consider a bachelor's degree in political science for some entry-level jobs, for example on a political campaign or in government[18]. Others prefer a Ph.D., which means extra years of study after a bachelor's degree[18].

In an ONET survey of 26 workers, 88% said a doctoral degree is required and 8% said a master's degree[19]. ONET places the job in a group that needs extensive preparation[20].

What political scientists do

Political scientists study how political systems start, grow and work. They may look at public opinion, political decisions and ideas, or the structure of governments[21]. O*NET lists these tasks:

BLS also names communication, critical thinking and attention to detail as important qualities[23][24][25].

Where they work

The federal government, excluding the postal service, was the largest employer group at 68% in 2025[26]. Most political scientists work full time and sometimes add hours when reports are due[27]. About 2.5% were self-employed in 2025[28].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of political scientists to decline 2% from 2025 to 2035[2]. That is from about 6,100 to 6,000 jobs, a change of 100[2]. For all occupations, BLS projects growth of 3.5%[29]. These counts include self-employed workers[2].

Even so, BLS expects about 400 openings a year on average[5]. That count includes jobs left by people who retire or switch occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 1.7% of workers leave the labor force and 4.9% move to a different occupation[30].

Is it a good fit?

The facts show high pay, with a median of $142,080 against $50,980 for all occupations[1][4]. They also show a small field that is projected to shrink slightly while employment in all occupations is projected to grow[2][29]. Entry usually takes a master's degree[6]. That suits people who enjoy research, data and explaining findings to different audiences[22][23]. The District of Columbia had by far the most jobs, so location may matter[13].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[31].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a political scientist make an hour?
The median was $68.31 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $68.51[1][7].
What degree do you need to be a political scientist?
BLS lists a master's degree as the typical entry education[6]. Some employers consider a bachelor's for certain entry-level jobs, and others prefer a Ph.D.[18].
Is political scientist a growing job?
No. BLS projects a 2% decline from 2025 to 2035, while all occupations are projected to grow 3.5%[2][29].
What is the highest paying state for political scientists?
Among the 12 states and DC with published wages, Maryland was listed first at $153,380, followed by the District of Columbia at $152,530[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Political Scientists in the US was $142,080 per year and $68.31 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Political Scientists is projected to decline 2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 6,100 to 6,000 jobs (a change of -100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Political Scientists: 10th percentile $83,350, 25th percentile $114,030, 75th percentile $174,180, 90th percentile $195,190. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 400 openings for Political Scientists are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Political Scientists: education needed for entry: Master's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Political Scientists was $142,510 per year and $68.51 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Political Scientists: 10th percentile $40.07, 25th percentile $54.82, 75th percentile $83.74, 90th percentile $93.84. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 5,540 people were employed as Political Scientists in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Political Scientists in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Political Scientists jobs: District of Columbia 3,070; Michigan 180; Massachusetts 170; Texas 160; New York 130. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Political Scientists (areas with at least 100 jobs): Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $156,730; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $133,930. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Political Scientists jobs: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 3,700 (median $156,730); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 190 (median $133,930); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 110; Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 90 (median $103,780); Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 80 (median $153,960); Ann Arbor, MI 60 (median $86,290). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. O*NET 19-3094.00 survey of workers (26 respondents), education level they say is required: Doctoral Degree 88%, Master's Degree 8% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  20. O*NET 19-3094.00: Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job. O*NET OnLine
  21. O*NET description of Political Scientists. O*NET OnLine
  22. O*NET task list for Political Scientists. O*NET OnLine
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of political scientists in 2025: Federal government, excluding postal service 68%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. BLS Employment Projections: 2.5% of Political Scientists were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  29. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  30. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Political Scientists: 1.7% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.9% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  31. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.