Average Salary for Political Scientists
SOC 19-3094 · Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · 2024 data
The median annual wage for Political Scientists in the United States is $139,380 ($67.01/hr), based on 2024 BLS OEWS data. Wages range from $74,750 at the 10th percentile to $191,880 at the 90th percentile nationally. An estimated 5,950 people work in this occupation across the country. The national median wage has grown 32.8% since 2014.
Median Annual
$139,380
Mean Annual
$137,600
10th Pct
$74,750
75th Pct
$172,050
Employment
5,950
Salary Distribution
$75k
10th
$103k
25th
$139k
Median
$172k
75th
$192k
90th
Highest Paying Metro Areas
| Metro Area | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $153,340 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $140,970 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $130,580 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $105,300 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $104,990 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $104,640 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $98,300 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $80,000 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $76,780 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | $63,500 |
Salary by State
| State | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Virginia | $163,950 |
| District of Columbia | $153,320 |
| Maryland | $148,680 |
| Washington | $140,970 |
| Pennsylvania | $132,640 |
| California | $130,630 |
| Massachusetts | $130,580 |
| Michigan | $125,750 |
| Texas | $111,720 |
| Arizona | $104,100 |
| Ohio | $99,130 |
| Illinois | $98,300 |
| Georgia | $80,000 |
| New Jersey | $74,760 |
| New York | $74,080 |
| New Hampshire | $63,500 |
Salary by Industry
National median wage for Political Scientists broken down by industry sector, 2024 data.
| Industry | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Federal Government, including the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $151,630 |
| Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) | $151,630 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $146,620 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $146,620 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, including State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $144,040 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | $132,460 |
| Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities | $130,840 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $130,580 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $130,580 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | $123,810 |
| Cross-industry, Private Ownership only | $112,670 |
| Local Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $98,300 |
| Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $98,300 |
| Social Advocacy Organizations | $96,700 |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations | $91,150 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | $91,150 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | $91,030 |
| Educational Services | $91,030 |
| State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $82,330 |
| State Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $81,620 |
| Educational Services | $81,620 |
| Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations | $77,820 |
National Wage Trend
View data table
| Year | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $139,380 |
| 2023 | $132,350 |
| 2022 | $128,020 |
| 2021 | $122,510 |
| 2020 | $125,350 |
| 2019 | $122,220 |
| 2018 | $117,570 |
| 2017 | $115,110 |
| 2016 | $114,290 |
| 2015 | $99,730 |
| 2014 | $104,920 |