Political Scientists Salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Median annual salary $153,340 +10% vs national
Median hourly $73.72
10th percentile $108,840
90th percentile $191,880
Employed locally 3,910
National median $139,380

Compare Political Scientists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Political Scientists
in
Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $108,840
    25th
    $128,940
    50th (median)
    $153,340
    75th
    $181,210
    90th
    $191,880

    Washington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $123,896 2023 • Census ACS
    Political Scientists salary vs area income 124% Median Political Scientists salary is 24% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Political Scientists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Virginia $163,950
    District of Columbia $153,320
    Maryland $148,680
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $140,970
    Washington $140,970
    Pennsylvania $132,640

    Related occupations in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

    OccupationMedian salary
    Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other $137,610
    Biological Scientists, All Other $105,580
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $112,120
    Economists $157,980
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $109,520
    Physical Scientists, All Other $162,610

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Political Scientists make per hour in Washington?

    The median hourly wage for Political Scientists in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is $73.72, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $93.84 or more per hour.

    Is Washington above or below average for Political Scientists salaries?

    The median Political Scientists salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is 10% above the national median of $139,380. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Political Scientists in Washington?

    Entry-level Political Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $108,840 per year in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $128,940.