Political Scientists Salary
The median pay for a political scientists in Pennsylvania is $140,020/year ($67.32/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $70K at the entry level to $203K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.97), which stretches that salary to about $147,436 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,351/month, or 15.6% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Pennsylvania. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $140K get you in Pennsylvania?
About political scientists
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What this looks like in Pennsylvania
Political scientists pay in Pennsylvania tracks closely to the national median, $140K locally vs. $142K nationwide, a 1% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,351/month, 15.9% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.97 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 5% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Pennsylvania
Entry-level political scientists (10th percentile) start around $70K. Mid-career wages sit at $140K. Top earners bring in $203K or more, a $133K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track political scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Pennsylvania numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a political scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Pennsylvania?
Yes — at the median salary of $140K, rent takes 15.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,351/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for political scientists in Pennsylvania?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new political scientists typically earn — is $70K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,227/month. At HUD’s $1,351/month FMR, rent would take 32% 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 Pennsylvania?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $140K locally vs. $142K nationally, a 1% difference.
How does Pennsylvania compare to the national average for political scientists?
Pennsylvania pays $140K median vs. the U.S. average of $142K — that’s -1%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $147K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do political scientists make in Pennsylvania?
The median is $140,020 a year, that works out to about $67 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $70,450, and experienced political scientists can clear $203,130. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $140K enough to live in Pennsylvania?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,513/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,351/month, which eats 15.9% 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 Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has a Regional Price Parity of 94.97 (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 $147,436 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.