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.
Annual wage data for Political Scientists (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
5,950
Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $74,750. 25th percentile: U.S. $103,030. 50th percentile: U.S. $139,380. 75th percentile: U.S. $172,050. 90th percentile: U.S. $191,880. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.
| Metric | U.S. |
|---|---|
| 10% of workers earn the following or less | $74,750 |
| 10% of workers earn the following or more | $191,880 |
| Workers on average earn | $137,600 |
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
Frequently requested by employers in job postings