Political Scientist salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Political Scientists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $153,960 a year ($74.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $81,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $224,960 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $142,080. Pay here is 5% higher than the Washington statewide median of $147,060. There are 0.04 political scientists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $146,970, close to the median.
Pay range for political scientists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,790 | $39.32 |
| 25th percentile | $98,350 | $47.29 |
| Median | $153,960 | $74.02 |
| 75th percentile | $193,450 | $93.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $224,960 | $108.15 |
| Average (mean) | $146,970 | $70.66 |
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 | $12,830 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,415 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,921.54 |
| Weekly | $2,960.77 |
| Hourly | $74.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $153,960 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Urban and Regional Planners | $108,040 | $51.94 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $105,140 | $50.55 |
| School Psychologist | $115,570 | $55.56 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $124,060 | $59.65 |
| Economist | $126,420 | $60.78 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $74,630 | $35.88 |
| Survey Researcher | $69,590 | $33.46 |
| Sociologist | $97,170 | $46.72 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $105,430 | $50.69 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Biological Technician | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $108,580 | $52.20 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $109,500 | $52.65 |
| Chemist | $87,990 | $42.30 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for political scientists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $153,960 a year, or $74.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $81,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $224,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid political scientists make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of political scientists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $224,960 a year. The top 25% earn $193,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for political scientists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,790 a year, and a quarter of political scientists earn $98,350 or less.
How many political scientists work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 80 political scientists are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.