Political Scientists
SOC code 19-3094 · O*NET-SOC 19-3094.00 · Extensive preparation needed · Science and engineering
Political Scientists pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$142,080
a year
Hourly
$68.31
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$142,510
$68.51 per hour
Middle 50%
$114,030 – $174,180
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$83,350 – $195,190
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
5,540
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $83,350
- $40.07/hr
- 25th percentile
- $114,030
- $54.82/hr
- Median percentile
- $142,080
- $68.31/hr
- 75th percentile
- $174,180
- $83.74/hr
- 90th percentile
- $195,190
- $93.84/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
-3%
Declining
6,500
jobs in 2024
6,300
projected for 2034
About 200 fewer jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does a political scientist do?
Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. May study topics, such as public opinion, political decisionmaking, and ideology. May analyze the structure and operation of governments, as well as various political entities. May conduct public opinion surveys, analyze election results, or analyze public documents.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Teach political science.
- Maintain current knowledge of government policy decisions.
- Develop and test theories, using information from interviews, newspapers, periodicals, case law, historical papers, polls, or statistical sources.
- Disseminate research results through academic publications, written reports, or public presentations.
- Advise political science students.
- Collect, analyze, and interpret data, such as election results and public opinion surveys, reporting on findings, recommendations, and conclusions.
- Interpret and analyze policies, public issues, legislation, or the operations of governments, businesses, and organizations.
- Identify issues for research and analysis.
How to become a political scientist
Most people in this role hold doctoral degree — 88% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- 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.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Doctoral Degree88%
- Master's Degree8%
- Post-Doctoral Training4%
Common questions
How much does a political scientist earn?
The national median is $142,080 a year. The full range runs from $83,350 at the 10th percentile to $195,190 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a political scientist without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is political scientist in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to shrink by about 3% between 2024 and 2034 — declining. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.3/5
- Active Listening4.1/5
- Speaking4.1/5
- Active Learning4.1/5
- Writing4.0/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
- Learning Strategies3.5/5
Knowledge areas
- Law and Government4.7/5
- English Language4.4/5
- Education and Training4.3/5
- History and Archeology3.4/5
- Mathematics3.4/5
- Communications and Media3.3/5
- Sociology and Anthropology3.2/5
- Geography3.1/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making.