Political Scientists
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.Salary by State
| State Name | Employment | Annual Salary | Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 60 | $96,820 | $46.55 | |
| California | 200 | $119,160 | $57.29 | |
| District of Columbia | 3,490 | $126,210 | $60.68 | |
| Florida | 50 | $82,230 | $39.53 | |
| Illinois | 100 | $82,500 | $39.66 | |
| Kentucky | 50 | $65,020 | $31.26 | |
| Maine | 40 | $71,080 | $34.17 | |
| Maryland | $140,850 | $67.72 | ||
| Massachusetts | $87,740 | $42.18 | ||
| Michigan | 60 | $141,780 | $68.16 | |
| New Hampshire | 60 | $85,010 | $40.87 | |
| New York | 110 | $114,400 | $55.00 | |
| Pennsylvania | 50 | $51,830 | $24.92 | |
| Texas | 150 | $91,240 | $43.87 | |
| Vermont | 30 | $60,520 | $29.09 | |
| Virginia | $143,150 | $68.82 | ||
| Washington | 220 | $110,240 | $53.00 |
Education
The programs listed below are typically the education paths that can land you this kind of job.
A program that focuses on global and international issues from the perspective of the social sciences, social services, and related fields.
A program with a general synthesis of history and political science or a specialization which draws from history and political science. Includes instruction in comparative government and politics, historiography, historical research methods, political science, political theory, records administration, and systematic study of political institutions and behavior.
A program that focuses on philosophical foundations, political institutions, collective behavior, economic theory, and economic influences. Includes instruction in econometrics, logic, metaphysics, moral responsibility, philosophy of language, philosophy of perception, philosophy through history, reasoning and persuasion, and social epistemology.
A program that focuses on the systematic analysis of public policy issues and decision processes. Includes instruction in the role of economic and political factors in public decision-making and policy formulation, microeconomic analysis of policy issues, resource allocation and decision modeling, cost/benefit analysis, statistical methods, and applications to specific public policy topics.
A program that focuses on the systematic analysis of public policy issues related to relationships among nations and among governments and non-governmental entities. Includes instruction in international politics, governance, financial policy, and security affairs; globalization; economic and social policies of developing nations; and applications to specific public policy topics such as labor and employment, immigration, and human rights.
A program that focuses on the systematic study of international politics and institutions, and the conduct of diplomacy and foreign policy. Includes instruction in international relations theory, foreign policy analysis, international law and organization, the comparative study of specific countries and regions, and the theory and practice of diplomacy.
A program that focuses on the theory and application of intelligence, diplomacy, military power, and related tools of statecraft to national defense policy formulation and power projection. Includes instruction in history, political theory, public policy analysis, civil-military relations, military and defense studies, homeland security, leadership, threat scenarios, regional and local issues, alliance and coalition issues, defense budgeting and economics, intelligence, and strategy.
Any instructional program in international relations and national security studies not listed above.
A general program that focuses on the systematic study of political institutions and behavior. Includes instruction in political philosophy, political theory, comparative government and politics, political parties and interest groups, public opinion, political research methods, studies of the government and politics of specific countries, and studies of specific political institutions and processes.
A program that focuses on the systematic study of United States political institutions and behavior. Includes instruction in American political theory, political parties and interest groups, state and local governments, Constitutional law, federalism and national institutions, executive and legislative politics, judicial politics, popular attitudes and media influences, political research methods, and applications to the study of specific issues and institutions.
A program that focuses on the interaction between politics and economics in the formation of public policy. Includes instruction in microeconomics; macroeconomics; political theory; American, comparative, and international political economy; and quantitative methods.
Any instructional program in political science and government not listed above.
-
$120,430 per yearNational average salaryModerateJob growth rate
-
Master's degreeTypical education requirement
Educational Attainment
The following chart shows the highest education level completed by those working as political scientists.
- Less than high school 1%
- High school graduate 2%
- College dropout 6%
- Associate’s degree 4%
- Bachelor’s degree 33%
- Master’s degree 39%
- Doctorate degree 16%
Similar Careers
-
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary$98,980 per year Average salaryModerateJob growth rate
-
Sociologists$96,260 per year Average salaryModerateJob growth rate
-
Economists$120,830 per year Average salaryModerateJob growth rate
-
Law Teachers, Postsecondary$130,820 per year Average salaryModerateJob growth rate
-
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary$87,850 per year Average salaryModerateJob growth rate