Political Scientist salary in Maryland
Political Scientists in Maryland earn a median of $153,380 a year ($73.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $101,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,190 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $142,080. Maryland ranks 1st of 13 states for political scientists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.04 political scientists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $148,440, close to the median.
Pay range for political scientists in Maryland
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $101,400 | $48.75 |
| 25th percentile | $115,650 | $55.60 |
| Median | $153,380 | $73.74 |
| 75th percentile | $183,080 | $88.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,190 | $93.84 |
| Average (mean) | $148,440 | $71.37 |
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 | $12,781.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,390.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,899.23 |
| Weekly | $2,949.62 |
| Hourly | $73.74 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $153,380 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maryland at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Political Scientist salary in cities in Maryland
| 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 Maryland
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $131,810 | $63.37 |
| School Psychologist | $109,700 | $52.74 |
| Economist | $144,680 | $69.56 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $88,570 | $42.58 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $109,970 | $52.87 |
| Survey Researcher | $84,030 | $40.40 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $54,160 | $26.04 |
| Geographer | $114,920 | $55.25 |
| Historian | $120,580 | $57.97 |
| Sociologist | $100,660 | $48.39 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $106,000 | $50.96 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $121,680 | $58.50 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $68,390 | $32.88 |
| Biological Technician | $52,900 | $25.44 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Maryland
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 Maryland?
The median salary for political scientists in Maryland is $153,380 a year, or $73.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $101,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid political scientists make in Maryland?
The top 10% of political scientists in Maryland earn at least $195,190 a year. The top 25% earn $183,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for political scientists in Maryland?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $101,400 a year, and a quarter of political scientists earn $115,650 or less.
How many political scientists work in Maryland?
About 100 political scientists are employed in Maryland, not counting the self-employed.