Political Scientists Employment & Job Outlook in Virginia (2024)

Virginia employs 710 Political Scientists professionals, above the national average concentration.

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • Virginia employment outlook • Updated 2026-04-06

Total Employed
710
professionals
Jobs per 1,000
0.71
workers
Location Quotient
1.98
vs national avg
Average Salary
$145K
annual

High Demand in Virginia

The location quotient (LQ) of 1.98 indicates that Virginia has a higher-than-average concentration of Political Scientists professionals. This means the job is in high demand relative to other states, suggesting strong local job market opportunities.

Note: Location Quotient (LQ) is the ratio of the percentage of workers in an occupation in a given area to the percentage in that occupation nationwide. An LQ > 1.0 means above-average concentration; < 1.0 means below-average.

Virginia vs National Average

Total Employed
710
National: 5,030
14.1% of national
Jobs per 1,000
0.71
National: 0.36
+97.2%
Average Salary
$145K
National: $115K
+26.1%

Top States by Political Scientists Employment

#1
2,960
2,960
employed
#2
710
710
employed
#3
210
210
employed
#4
200
200
employed
#5
180
180
employed
#6
160
160
employed
#7
Florida
140
140
employed
#8
100
100
employed
#9
100
100
employed
#10
70
70
employed

What Does a Political Scientists Earn in Virginia?

The average annual salary for a Political Scientists in Virginia is $145,100. For a detailed breakdown by percentile, entry-level, median, and senior salaries, see the comprehensive salary guide below.

View full salary breakdown →

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many Political Scientists jobs are there in Virginia?

Virginia employs approximately 710 Political Scientists professionals (2024 BLS data). This ranks Virginia among the top states nationwide.

Is Political Scientists in demand in Virginia?

Yes — Virginia has above-average concentration of Political Scientists jobs (LQ: 1.98). A Location Quotient above 1.0 indicates higher-than-average demand.

What is the average salary for Political Scientists in Virginia?

The average (mean) salary for Political Scientists in Virginia is $145100/year. See our detailed salary page for percentile breakdowns.

What is a Location Quotient (LQ)?

Location Quotient measures how concentrated an occupation is in a state compared to the national average. LQ > 1.0 means the state has more of that job proportionally. LQ > 1.2 indicates strong demand.

Which states employ the most Political Scientists professionals?

The top state for Political Scientists employment is District of Columbia with 2,960 jobs.

Related Pages

Data Source

Employment and location quotient data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024. This data reflects total employment, jobs per 1,000 workers, location quotient, and average salary for Political Scientists (SOC 193094) in Virginia.

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Rankings
Highest Paying Jobs Jobs Over $100K Average Salary All Jobs in Virginia Career Progression Hourly Wages Employment Outlook