Political Scientist salary in Ann Arbor, MI
Political Scientists in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area earn a median of $86,290 a year ($41.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $68,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $174,940 for the top 10%. That is 39% lower than the national median of $142,080. Pay here is about the same as the Michigan statewide median of $86,290. There are 0.27 political scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 7.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $110,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for political scientists in Ann Arbor, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,380 | $32.88 |
| 25th percentile | $72,930 | $35.06 |
| Median | $86,290 | $41.49 |
| 75th percentile | $136,370 | $65.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $174,940 | $84.11 |
| Average (mean) | $110,690 | $53.22 |
Half of political scientists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,190.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,595.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,318.85 |
| Weekly | $1,659.42 |
| Hourly | $41.49 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $86,290 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Political Scientist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $79,990 | n/a |
Highest-paying states for political scientists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $153,380 |
| District of Columbia | $152,530 |
| Washington | $147,060 |
| Pennsylvania | $140,020 |
| Massachusetts | $133,930 |
| Colorado | $127,260 |
| Oregon | $119,460 |
| Ohio | $119,370 |
| Texas | $114,050 |
| Arizona | $108,770 |
See Political Scientist pay in every state or the Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ann Arbor, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $85,370 | $41.04 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $78,280 | $37.64 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $117,210 | $56.35 |
| School Psychologist | $83,960 | $40.36 |
| Survey Researcher | $103,140 | $49.59 |
| Economist | $128,960 | $62.00 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $79,620 | $38.28 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $85,120 | $40.92 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,060 | $39.45 |
| Chemist | $67,050 | $32.24 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $43,060 | $20.70 |
| Biological Technician | $52,110 | $25.05 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $85,610 | $41.16 |
| Chemical Technician | $47,880 | $23.02 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Ann Arbor, MI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-3094. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a political scientist make in Ann Arbor, MI?
The median salary for political scientists in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area is $86,290 a year, or $41.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $68,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $174,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid political scientists make in Ann Arbor, MI?
The top 10% of political scientists in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area earn at least $174,940 a year. The top 25% earn $136,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for political scientists in Ann Arbor, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,380 a year, and a quarter of political scientists earn $72,930 or less.
How many political scientists work in Ann Arbor, MI?
About 60 political scientists are employed in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.