Political Scientists salary in the United States
$83,350
10th
$114,030
25th
$142,080
Median
$174,180
75th
$195,190
90th
National median
$142,080
2025 OEWS
Mean
$142,510
Hourly median
$68.31
Employment
5,540
Top paying locations with published data
| Location | Median | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Washington, DC | $156,730 | 3,700 |
| Seattle, WA | $153,960 | 80 |
| MD | $153,380 | 100 |
| DC | $152,530 | 3,070 |
| WA | $147,060 | 110 |
| PA | $140,020 | 70 |
| MA | $133,930 | 170 |
| Boston, MA | $133,930 | 190 |
| CO | $127,260 | 30 |
| OR | $119,460 | — |
| OH | $119,370 | 40 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $114,320 | 30 |
| TX | $114,050 | 160 |
| AZ | $108,770 | 50 |
| IL | $103,780 | 110 |
| Chicago, IL | $103,780 | 90 |
| MI | $86,290 | 180 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $86,290 | 60 |
| Detroit, MI | $79,990 | — |
| NH | $74,560 | — |
Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, 2025. Published survey snapshot, not a real-time market rate.