Political Scientists: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Texas (2024)

How does Political Scientists salary grow from entry-level to senior in Texas? State salary progression based on 2024 BLS data.

58% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • Texas salary data • Updated 2026-04-06

Entry-Level (P10)
$79,850
$6,654/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$106,270
$8,856/mo
Senior (P90)
$126,360
$10,530/mo

Texas vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$79,850
National: $73,906
+8.0%
Mid-Career (Median)
$106,270
National: $114,751
-7.4%
Senior (P90)
$126,360
National: $155,802
-18.9%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Political Scientists in Texas spans from $79,850 at entry-level to $126,360 at senior level — a difference of $46,510 per year.

P10
$79K
P25
$92K
Median
$106K
P75
$119K
P90
$126K

Career Growth Premium: +58%

Senior Political Scientistss in Texas earn $46,510 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$46,510
Monthly Difference
+$3,876
Hourly Difference
+$22.36
Growth Multiple
1.6x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Political Scientists salary increases with experience in Texas, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $79,850 $6,654 $38.39
Early Career P25 $92,270 $7,689 $44.36
Mid-Career Median $106,270 $8,856 $51.09
Experienced P75 $119,700 $9,975 $57.55
Senior / Expert P90 $126,360 $10,530 $60.75
Key Insight

Political Scientists in Texas has a moderate salary progression with a 58% growth from entry-level ($79,850) to senior ($126,360). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($106,270) and P90 ($126,360) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

How Texas Compares to Other States

Where does Texas rank for Political Scientists senior-level salaries? Compare Texas's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$230,620
Entry: $75K
+205%
2
$201,090
Entry: $65K
+205%
3
$183,500
Entry: $103K
+77%
4
$183,500
Entry: $79K
+130%
5
$183,500
Entry: $74K
+145%
6
$181,190
Entry: $80K
+125%
7
$161,470
Entry: $66K
+144%
8
$126,360
Entry: $79K
+58%
9
$113,030
Entry: $48K
+135%
10
$110,000
Entry: $55K
+100%

Ready to Advance Your Political Scientists Career?

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Political Scientists?

Entry-level Political Scientistss (10th percentile) earn approximately $79,850 per year, or $6,654 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $92,270. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Political Scientists make?

Senior Political Scientistss (90th percentile) earn approximately $126,360 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $119,700. This represents a career premium of 58% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Political Scientists?

The career salary growth potential for Political Scientistss is 58%. Entry-level professionals start at $79,850, while senior-level can earn up to $126,360 — a difference of $46,510 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Political Scientistss?

The highest-paying state for senior Political Scientistss is Texas, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $126,360 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Political Scientists salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

Related Salary Pages

About This Data

Salary percentile data for Texas from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Texas.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

Explore More in Texas

Related Analysis
Political Scientists Salary After-Tax Take-Home Pay Cost of Living Adjusted Entry-Level vs Senior Salary Hourly Wage Employment Outlook
Rankings
Highest Paying Jobs Jobs Over $100K Average Salary All Jobs in Texas Career Progression Hourly Wages Employment Outlook