Political Scientist salary in District of Columbia
Political Scientists in District of Columbia earn a median of $152,530 a year ($73.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,070 workers.
Pay ranges from $114,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,190 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $142,080. District of Columbia ranks 2nd of 13 states for political scientists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 4.4 political scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 122.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $154,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for political scientists in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $114,920 | $55.25 |
| 25th percentile | $128,610 | $61.83 |
| Median | $152,530 | $73.33 |
| 75th percentile | $180,480 | $86.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,190 | $93.84 |
| Average (mean) | $154,300 | $74.18 |
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 | $12,710.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,355.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,866.54 |
| Weekly | $2,933.27 |
| Hourly | $73.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $152,530 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Political Scientist salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $156,730 | 3,700 |
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 |
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Economist | $167,590 | $80.57 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $128,440 | $61.75 |
| Historian | $118,290 | $56.87 |
| School Psychologist | $107,500 | $51.68 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $125,110 | $60.15 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $107,000 | $51.44 |
| Survey Researcher | $102,390 | $49.23 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $137,000 | $65.87 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $65,330 | $31.41 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $132,620 | $63.76 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $84,590 | $40.67 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $156,730 | $75.35 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $101,940 | $49.01 |
| Physicist | $157,040 | $75.50 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for political scientists in District of Columbia is $152,530 a year, or $73.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $114,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid political scientists make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of political scientists in District of Columbia earn at least $195,190 a year. The top 25% earn $180,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for political scientists in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $114,920 a year, and a quarter of political scientists earn $128,610 or less.
How many political scientists work in District of Columbia?
About 3,070 political scientists are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.