Political Scientist salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Political Scientists in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $79,990 a year ($38.46 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $65,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,810 for the top 10%. That is 44% lower than the national median of $142,080. Pay here is 7% lower than the Michigan statewide median of $86,290. The average (mean) salary is $89,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for political scientists in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,220 | $31.36 |
| 25th percentile | $79,990 | $38.46 |
| Median | $79,990 | $38.46 |
| 75th percentile | $102,990 | $49.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,810 | $49.91 |
| Average (mean) | $89,470 | $43.01 |
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 | $6,665.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,332.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,076.54 |
| Weekly | $1,538.27 |
| Hourly | $38.46 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $79,990 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $86,290 | 60 |
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $91,610 | $44.04 |
| School Psychologist | $85,050 | $40.89 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $82,080 | $39.46 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $104,250 | $50.12 |
| Economist | $106,350 | $51.13 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $129,420 | $62.22 |
| Survey Researcher | $83,190 | $40.00 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $64,860 | $31.19 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,080 | $42.35 |
| Chemist | $85,770 | $41.23 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $84,310 | $40.53 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $74,300 | $35.72 |
| Chemical Technician | $49,460 | $23.78 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $57,420 | $27.61 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, 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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for political scientists in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $79,990 a year, or $38.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid political scientists make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of political scientists in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $103,810 a year. The top 25% earn $102,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for political scientists in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,220 a year, and a quarter of political scientists earn $79,990 or less.