Political Scientists Salary
The median pay for a political scientists in Michigan is $86,290/year ($41.49/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $68K at the entry level to $156K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.89), which stretches that salary to about $91,905 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,272/month, or 23.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Michigan. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $86K get you in Michigan?
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What this looks like in Michigan
Pay for political scientists in Michigan runs about 39% below the U.S. median of $142K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,272/month, 23.3% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.89 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 6% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Lower pay, lower costs, Michigan can be a reasonable trade-off for political scientistss who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Michigan
Entry-level political scientists (10th percentile) start around $68K. Mid-career wages sit at $86K. Top earners bring in $156K or more, a $87K spread from bottom to top.
Political Scientists salary by metro in Michigan
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | $86K | +0% | 60 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | $80K | -7% | N/A |
Compare to other states
Track political scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Michigan numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a political scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Michigan?
Yes — at the median salary of $86K, rent takes 23.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,272/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for political scientists in Michigan?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new political scientists typically earn — is $68K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,103/month. At HUD’s $1,272/month FMR, rent would take 31% 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 Michigan?
Local pay runs 39% below the national median — $86K here vs. $142K nationally. Cost of living is 6% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Michigan compare to the national average for political scientists?
Michigan pays $86K median vs. the U.S. average of $142K — that’s -39%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $92K — below the national median.
How much do political scientists make in Michigan?
The median is $86,290 a year, that works out to about $41 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $68,380, and experienced political scientists can clear $155,740. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $86K enough to live in Michigan?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,452/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,272/month, which eats 23.3% 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 Michigan?
Michigan has a Regional Price Parity of 93.89 (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 $91,905 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.