Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much does a Political Scientists actually take home in Texas?
No state income tax — 22.5% effective total tax rateData: BLS OEWS 2025 + IRS/State Tax Brackets 2024 • Updated 2026-05-19
Detailed line-by-line tax calculation for a Political Scientists earning $114,050 in Texas (single filer, standard deduction).
| Tax Component | Annual Amount | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary (Median) | $114,050 | — |
| Federal Income Tax | -$16,932 | 14.8% |
| Texas State Income Tax | -$0 | 0.0% |
| Social Security (OASDI) | -$7,071 | 6.2% |
| Medicare | -$1,653 | 1.5% |
| Total Taxes | -$25,656 | 22.5% |
| Take-Home Pay | $88,393 | 77.5% |
Take-home pay varies significantly across experience levels. Here is the after-tax breakdown for each salary percentile of Political Scientists in Texas.
| Percentile | Gross Salary | Total Taxes | Take-Home Pay | Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $87,530 | -$17,793 | $69,736 | 20.3% |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $101,900 | -$22,054 | $79,845 | 21.6% |
| Median (P50) | $114,050 | -$25,656 | $88,393 | 22.5% |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $128,320 | -$30,151 | $98,168 | 23.5% |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $139,010 | -$33,535 | $105,474 | 24.1% |
Texas has no state income tax, which means a Political Scientists keeps $88,393 of their $114,050 salary — 77.5% of gross pay. Only federal income tax and FICA reduce the paycheck, making Texas one of the most tax-friendly states for this occupation.
With an effective total rate of 22.5%, a Political Scientists in Texas keeps $88,393 of $114,050 gross — roughly typical for U.S. middle-income earners once federal, FICA and state taxes are combined.
Texas is one of the few states with zero state income tax for wage earners. For a Political Scientists, that means the only deductions are federal income tax and FICA — no additional state withholding. This typically adds several thousand dollars per year compared to comparable states with income tax.
Federal income tax ($16,932) accounts for 66% of the total tax bill — the single largest deduction. FICA adds $8,725 (34%), and state tax the remaining $0 (0%).
Texas ranks #8 of 13 states for Political Scientists after-tax pay — lower half of the national distribution. Either gross wages trail the national median, state tax is elevated, or both.
Translated into paycheck cadences, $88,393 net/year works out to $7,366/month or $3,400/bi-weekly for this Political Scientists in Texas — the numbers that actually hit a checking account after every deduction.
Where does a Political Scientists keep the most of their paycheck? Top 10 states ranked by after-tax take-home pay.
Texas ranks #8 out of 13 states for Political Scientists after-tax take-home pay.
A Political Scientists in Texas earning a median salary of $114,050 will take home approximately $88,393 per year after federal income tax ($16,932), state income tax ($0), and FICA ($8,724). That is $7,366 per month or $3,399 per bi-weekly paycheck.
The effective total tax rate for a Political Scientists in Texas is 22.5%, broken down as: federal income tax 14.8%, Texas state tax 0.0%, and FICA (Social Security + Medicare) 7.7%. This assumes a single filer with the standard deduction for 2024.
No, Texas does not levy a state income tax on wages. This means a Political Scientists in Texas only pays federal income tax and FICA taxes, resulting in a lower overall tax burden compared to most other states. The total effective rate is 22.5%.
After all taxes, a Political Scientists in Texas takes home approximately $7,366 per month, or about $42.50 per hour (based on a standard 2,080-hour work year). These figures assume a single filer, standard deduction, and no additional pre-tax deductions.
We start with the 2025 BLS median salary of $114,050 for Political Scientists in Texas, then subtract: federal income tax using 2024 IRS brackets ($14,600 standard deduction), Texas state income tax (no state income tax), Social Security (6.2% up to $168,600), and Medicare (1.45%). The result — $88,393/yr — does not include local taxes, pre-tax deductions (401k, HSA), or tax credits.
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This estimate assumes a single filer using the 2024 standard deduction ($14,600), with W-2 employment income only. It does not account for: itemized deductions, tax credits (e.g. earned income credit, child tax credit), local/city taxes, pre-tax contributions (401k, HSA, FSA), self-employment tax, or additional income sources. Actual take-home pay may differ. Consult a tax professional for personalized advice.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Salary: BLS OEWS · Tax: IRS + State DOR