Political Scientists Salary
The median pay for a political scientists in Massachusetts is $133,930/year ($64.39/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $76K at the entry level to $218K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.09), that's roughly $133,810 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,347/month, or 28.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Massachusetts. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $134K get you in Massachusetts?
About political scientists
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What this looks like in Massachusetts
Political scientists pay in Massachusetts tracks closely to the national median, $134K locally vs. $142K nationwide, a 6% difference. Rent runs $2,347/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29.5% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 100.09) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Massachusetts
Entry-level political scientists (10th percentile) start around $76K. Mid-career wages sit at $134K. Top earners bring in $218K or more, a $142K spread from bottom to top.
Political Scientists salary by metro in Massachusetts
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton | $134K | +0% | 190 |
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Massachusetts numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a political scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Massachusetts?
Yes — at the median salary of $134K, rent takes 29.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,347/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for political scientists in Massachusetts?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new political scientists typically earn — is $76K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,561/month. At HUD’s $2,347/month FMR, rent would take 51% 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 Massachusetts?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $134K locally vs. $142K nationally, a 6% difference.
How does Massachusetts compare to the national average for political scientists?
Massachusetts pays $134K median vs. the U.S. average of $142K — that’s -6%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 100.09), the purchasing-power equivalent is $134K — below the national median.
How much do political scientists make in Massachusetts?
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 $76,010, and experienced political scientists can clear $217,820. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $134K enough to live in Massachusetts?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,966/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,347/month, which eats 29.5% 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 Massachusetts?
Massachusetts has a Regional Price Parity of 100.09 (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 $133,810 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.