Political Scientists Salary
The median pay for a political scientists in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH is $133,930/year ($64.39/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $73K at the entry level to $218K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.27), so that salary is closer to $123,700 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,941/month, about 36.2% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $134K get you in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Boston-Cambridge-Newton’s Regional Price Parity (108.27). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About political scientists
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What this looks like in Boston-Cambridge-Newton
Political scientists pay in Boston-Cambridge-Newton tracks closely to the national median, $134K locally vs. $142K nationwide, a 6% difference. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $2,941/month, which is 36.9% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost-of-living overall is 8% above the national average (BEA RPP 108.27), so groceries and services cost more too. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Entry-level political scientists (10th percentile) start around $73K. Mid-career wages sit at $134K. Top earners bring in $218K or more, a $145K spread from bottom to top.
Political Scientists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Political Scientists salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $153K | +8% | 100 |
| District of Columbia | $153K | +7% | 3,070 |
| Washington | $147K | +4% | 110 |
| Pennsylvania | $140K | -1% | 70 |
| Massachusetts | $134K | -6% | 170 |
| Colorado | $127K | -10% | 30 |
| Oregon | $119K | -16% | N/A |
| Ohio | $119K | -16% | 40 |
| Texas | $114K | -20% | 160 |
| Arizona | $109K | -23% | 50 |
| Illinois | $104K | -27% | 110 |
| Michigan | $86K | -39% | 180 |
| New Hampshire | $75K | -48% | N/A |
Showing 1–10 of 13 states with published data
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track political scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Boston-Cambridge-Newton numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a political scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $134K, rent takes 36.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,941/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $2,400/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for political scientists in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new political scientists typically earn — is $73K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,362/month. At HUD’s $2,941/month FMR, rent would take 67% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is political scientist a high-paying job in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $134K locally vs. $142K nationally, a 6% difference.
How does Boston-Cambridge-Newton compare to the national average for political scientists?
Boston-Cambridge-Newton pays $134K median vs. the U.S. average of $142K — that’s -6%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 108.27), the purchasing-power equivalent is $124K — below the national median.
How much do political scientists make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median is $133,930 a year, that works out to about $64 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $72,700, and experienced political scientists can clear $217,810. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $134K enough to live in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,966/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,941/month, which eats 36.9% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a political scientists salary go in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
Boston-Cambridge-Newton has a Regional Price Parity of 108.27 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median political scientists salary is worth about $123,700 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do political scientists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.