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Salary comparison

Political Scientists vs. Occupational Health and Safety Specialists: Who Earns More?

Political Scientistss out-earn Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss by $52K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Political Scientistss land at $142,080 and Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss at $90,150. The education gap is real: political scientist programs typically require bachelor's degree, while occupational health and safety specialist programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Political Scientistss is Maryland ($153,380); for Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss it's District of Columbia ($111,530).

Political Scientists
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Median salary
$142,080
$90,150
Hourly rate
$68.31/hr
$43.34/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$83,350
$55,000
Senior level (90th %)
$195,190
$134,950
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
5,540
140,610
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Science
Science
Top-paying state
Maryland
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Political Scientists median pay.

State
Political Scientists
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Maryland
$153,380
$91,820
District of Columbia
$152,530
$111,530
Washington
$147,060
$102,920
Pennsylvania
$140,020
$87,050
Massachusetts
$133,930
$103,970
Colorado
$127,260
$101,400
Oregon
$119,460
$95,240
Ohio
$119,370
$91,460
Texas
$114,050
$79,660
Arizona
$108,770
$89,480
Illinois
$103,780
$98,270
Michigan
$86,290
$84,080
New Hampshire
$74,560
$101,260

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Political Scientistss or Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss?

Political Scientistss earn more nationally. The median is $142,080 for Political Scientistss versus $90,150 for Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss, a difference of $52K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Political Scientists or Occupational Health and Safety Specialists?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Political Scientists or Occupational Health and Safety Specialists?

Political Scientists typically requires bachelor's degree. Occupational Health and Safety Specialists requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Political Scientistss get paid the most?

Maryland is the top-paying state for Political Scientistss at $153,380/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Political Scientists vs. Occupational Health and Safety Specialists pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Maryland, Political Scientistss earn $153,380 vs. $91,820 for Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Political Scientists salary breakdownView →Full Occupational Health and Safety Specialists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Political Scientistss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Occupational Health and Safety Specialistss by take-home payExplore →How to become a political scientistsGuide →How to become a occupational health and safety specialistsGuide →