Political Scientists Salary
The median pay for a political scientists in Maryland is $153,380/year ($73.74/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $101K at the entry level to $195K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.76), that's roughly $155,306 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,795/month, or 19.8% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Maryland. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $153K get you in Maryland?
About political scientists
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What this looks like in Maryland
Political scientists pay in Maryland tracks closely to the national median, $153K locally vs. $142K nationwide, a 8% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,795/month, 19.9% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 98.76) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Maryland
Entry-level political scientists (10th percentile) start around $101K. Mid-career wages sit at $153K. Top earners bring in $195K or more, a $94K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track political scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Maryland numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a political scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Maryland?
Yes — at the median salary of $153K, rent takes 19.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,795/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for political scientists in Maryland?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new political scientists typically earn — is $101K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $6,084/month. At HUD’s $1,795/month FMR, rent would take 30% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is political scientist a high-paying job in Maryland?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $153K locally vs. $142K nationally, a 8% difference.
How does Maryland compare to the national average for political scientists?
Maryland pays $153K median vs. the U.S. average of $142K — that’s +8%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 98.76), the purchasing-power equivalent is $155K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do political scientists make in Maryland?
The median is $153,380 a year, that works out to about $74 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $101,400, and experienced political scientists can clear $195,190. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $153K enough to live in Maryland?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,024/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,795/month, which eats 19.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a political scientists salary go in Maryland?
Maryland has a Regional Price Parity of 98.76 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median political scientists salary is worth about $155,306 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.