Highest Paying State $163,950 Virginia
National Avg Median $111,919 Across 15 states
Lowest Paying State $63,500 New Hampshire

Political Scientists Salary in All 50 States

Compare Political Scientists pay across the country. Click any state for the full salary breakdown including percentiles, employment numbers, and related jobs.

State Median Salary Mean Salary Entry Level Top Earners Employed
Virginia $163,950 $154,860 $87,320 $191,880 660
Maryland $148,680 $148,480 $97,930 $191,880 130
Washington $140,970 $129,730 $75,350 $179,700 140
Pennsylvania $132,640 $138,120 $75,420 $192,420 90
California $130,630 $132,240 $75,180 $191,880 50
Massachusetts $130,580 $129,460 $67,580 $206,330 N/A
Michigan $125,750 $119,030 $64,680 $205,410 120
Texas $111,720 $109,340 $76,020 $136,340 170
Arizona $104,100 $104,670 $68,020 $167,960 40
Ohio $99,130 $101,770 $60,270 $139,400 50
Illinois $98,300 $100,690 $71,990 $136,970 110
Georgia $80,000 $81,840 $51,210 $112,000 30
New Jersey $74,760 $78,520 $69,120 $99,590 70
New York $74,080 $100,490 $74,070 $179,980 210
New Hampshire $63,500 $93,170 $33,380 $166,790 N/A

Data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024. Sorted by median salary (highest to lowest). Entry Level = 10th percentile, Top Earners = 90th percentile.

Political Scientists Salary FAQs

Which state pays Political Scientistss the most?

Virginia pays the highest median salary for Political Scientistss at $163,950 per year, according to 2024 BLS data. The top 5 highest paying states are: Virginia ($163,950), Maryland ($148,680), Washington ($140,970), Pennsylvania ($132,640), California ($130,630).

What is the average Political Scientists salary nationally?

The average median Political Scientists salary across all 15 states is $111,919 per year. The salary ranges from $63,500 in New Hampshire to $163,950 in Virginia — a difference of $100,450.

Which state pays Political Scientistss the least?

New Hampshire has the lowest median Political Scientists salary at $63,500 per year. However, cost of living in New Hampshire may be lower, so purchasing power could be comparable.