How Much Does a Political Science Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$142,080
Political scientists in the U.S. earn a median of $142,080 a year, or $68.31 an hour. Half of political scientists earn more than $142,080 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $195,190.
Pay percentiles for political scientists
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $40.07 | $83,350 |
| 25th | $54.82 | $114,030 |
| 50th (median) | $68.31 | $142,080 |
| 75th | $83.74 | $174,180 |
| 90th | $93.84 | $195,190 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Political Scientists (SOC 19-3094). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for political scientists
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $153,380 | $73.74 | +8% |
| District of Columbia | $152,530 | $73.33 | +7% |
| Washington | $147,060 | $70.70 | +4% |
| Pennsylvania | $140,020 | $67.32 | −1% |
| Massachusetts | $133,930 | $64.39 | −6% |
| Colorado | $127,260 | $61.18 | −10% |
| Oregon | $119,460 | $57.43 | −16% |
| Ohio | $119,370 | $57.39 | −16% |
| Texas | $114,050 | $54.83 | −20% |
| Arizona | $108,770 | $52.29 | −23% |
| United States | $142,080 | $68.31 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many political scientists are there?
BLS counts about 5,540 political scientists employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in District of Columbia (3,070), Michigan (180) and Massachusetts (170).
The mean (average) annual wage is $142,510, higher than the median of $142,080.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $11,840
- Biweekly
- $5,465
- Weekly
- $2,732
- Daily (8 hours)
- $546
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do political scientists make an hour?
The median hourly wage for political scientists is $68.31. The middle 50% earn between $54.82 and $83.74 an hour.
Which state pays political scientists the most?
Maryland has the highest median wage for political scientists at $153,380, +8% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for political scientists?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of political scientists earn less than $83,350 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.