Political Scientists Salary
The median pay for a political scientists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $156,730/year ($75.35/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $118K at the entry level to $195K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $143,947 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,246/month, or 24.3% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $157K get you in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Washington-Arlington-Alexandria’s Regional Price Parity (108.88). 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Political scientists pay in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria tracks closely to the national median, $157K locally vs. $142K nationwide, a 10% difference. Rent runs $2,246/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 25.1% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost-of-living overall is 9% above the national average (BEA RPP 108.88), so groceries and services cost more too. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Entry-level political scientists (10th percentile) start around $118K. Mid-career wages sit at $157K. Top earners bring in $195K or more, a $77K 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a political scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Yes — at the median salary of $157K, rent takes 25.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,246/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for political scientists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new political scientists typically earn — is $118K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $7,097/month. At HUD’s $2,246/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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $157K locally vs. $142K nationally, a 10% difference.
How does Washington-Arlington-Alexandria compare to the national average for political scientists?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria pays $157K median vs. the U.S. average of $142K — that’s +10%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 108.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $144K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do political scientists make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median is $156,730 a year, that works out to about $75 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $118,290, and experienced political scientists can clear $195,190. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $157K enough to live in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,950/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,246/month, which eats 25.1% 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (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 $143,947 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.