Political Scientist salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
Political Scientists in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median of $114,320 a year ($54.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $199,120 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $142,080. Pay here is 5% higher than the Arizona statewide median of $108,770. There are 0.01 political scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.36). The average (mean) salary is $124,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for political scientists in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,390 | $37.69 |
| 25th percentile | $86,690 | $41.68 |
| Median | $114,320 | $54.96 |
| 75th percentile | $162,690 | $78.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $199,120 | $95.73 |
| Average (mean) | $124,870 | $60.03 |
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 | $9,526.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,763.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,396.92 |
| Weekly | $2,198.46 |
| Hourly | $54.96 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $114,320 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arizona at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Urban and Regional Planners | $107,470 | $51.67 |
| School Psychologist | $93,640 | $45.02 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $115,570 | $55.56 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $63,010 | $30.29 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $98,520 | $47.37 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $137,650 | $66.18 |
| Economist | $125,160 | $60.17 |
| Survey Researcher | $59,210 | $28.47 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $89,480 | $43.02 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $108,390 | $52.11 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,600 | $38.75 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $65,220 | $31.36 |
| Biological Technician | $61,280 | $29.46 |
| Chemist | $78,060 | $37.53 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
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 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The median salary for political scientists in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $114,320 a year, or $54.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $199,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid political scientists make in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The top 10% of political scientists in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn at least $199,120 a year. The top 25% earn $162,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for political scientists in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,390 a year, and a quarter of political scientists earn $86,690 or less.
How many political scientists work in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
About 30 political scientists are employed in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.