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Summary

political scientists image
Political scientists research policies, trends, and issues.
Quick Facts: Political Scientists
2023 Median Pay $132,350 per year
$63.63 per hour
Typical Entry-Level Education Master's degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation None
On-the-job Training None
Number of Jobs, 2023 6,200
Job Outlook, 2023-33 3% (As fast as average)
Employment Change, 2023-33 200

What Political Scientists Do

Political scientists study the origin, development, and operation of political systems.

Work Environment

Most political scientists work full time in an office setting. They sometimes work additional hours.

How to Become a Political Scientist

To enter the occupation, political scientists typically need a master’s degree in political science, public administration, or a related field. However, some employers consider candidates who have a bachelor’s degree; others may prefer a Ph.D.

Pay

The median annual wage for political scientists was $132,350 in May 2023.

Job Outlook

Employment of political scientists is projected to grow 3 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 500 openings for political scientists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

State & Area Data

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for political scientists.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of political scientists with similar occupations.

More Information, Including Links to O*NET

Learn more about political scientists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

What Political Scientists Do About this section

Political scientists
Political scientists often present their findings.

Political scientists study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. They may research topics such as public opinion, political decision-making, and ideology. They also may analyze the structure of governments and political entities.

Duties

Political scientists typically do the following:

  • Research political subjects, such as the U.S. political system and foreign relations
  • Collect and analyze data from public opinion surveys and other sources
  • Develop and test political theories
  • Evaluate the effects of policies and laws on government, businesses, and people
  • Monitor current events, policy decisions, and related issues
  • Forecast political, economic, and social trends
  • Share research results by giving presentations and publishing articles

Political scientists conduct research in many areas, such as national politics, comparative politics, international relations, and political theory.

Political scientists gather and analyze information from numerous sources. They evaluate current policies and events and try to anticipate the effects of new policies. For example, they may use historical documents to study past government structures and policies. Or they may review voter registration data to identify voting patterns.

Political scientists may have other job titles, such as government affairs specialist, political consultant, and political research scientist. Their research on domestic or international policies that affect a particular region or population may help in planning and development.

Work Environment About this section

Political scientists
Political scientists work in a variety of organizations that have a stake in policy, such as government, labor, and political organizations.

Political scientists held about 6,200 jobs in 2023. The largest employers of political scientists were as follows:

Federal government, excluding postal service 64%
Professional, scientific, and technical services 17
Educational services; state, local, and private 5
Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations 4

Work Schedules

Most political scientists work full time. They sometimes work additional hours to finish reports and meet deadlines.

How to Become a Political Scientist About this section

Political scientists
Political scientists learn to analyze quantitative and qualitative data.

To enter the occupation, political scientists typically need a master’s degree in political science, public administration, or a related field. However, some employers consider candidates who have a bachelor’s degree; others may prefer a Ph.D.

Education

Political scientists typically need a master’s degree to enter the occupation. Relevant master’s degree programs include fields such as political science, public administration, and public policy. These programs often have courses in other disciplines, such as psychology and economics, as well as in government, policy, and politics.

Employers may consider candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in political science for certain entry-level positions, such as with political campaigns or in government. Some employers prefer that political scientist candidates have a Ph.D., which requires several years of study beyond a bachelor’s degree.

Prospective political scientists may benefit from participating in internship or volunteer opportunities while in school. These experiences may offer students a chance to develop the analytical, research, and other skills they need to be successful.

Important Qualities

Adaptability. Political scientists must be able to adjust their research methods as current events develop.

Communication skills. Political scientists must be able to explain their findings to a variety of audiences.

Creativity. Political scientists must continually explore new ideas, stay current on political subjects, and come up with new ways to address issues.

Critical-thinking skills. Political scientists must be able to draw logical conclusions from the data and information they collect, analyze, and interpret.

Decision-making skills. Political scientists need to balance a variety of objectives and choose appropriate research methods for the topics they study.  

Detail oriented. Political scientists need to be precise in evaluating and recording the results of their research.

Interpersonal skills. Political scientists may collaborate with other researchers when writing reports or giving presentations.

Pay About this section

Political Scientists

Median annual wages, May 2023

Political scientists

$132,350

Social scientists and related workers

$89,440

Total, all occupations

$48,060

 

The median annual wage for political scientists was $132,350 in May 2023. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $72,470, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $183,500.

In May 2023, the median annual wages for political scientists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Federal government, excluding postal service $145,600
Professional, scientific, and technical services 127,260
Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations 86,800
Educational services; state, local, and private 78,970

Most political scientists work full time. They may work additional hours to finish reports and meet deadlines.

Job Outlook About this section

Political Scientists

Percent change in employment, projected 2023-33

Social scientists and related workers

6%

Total, all occupations

4%

Political scientists

3%

 

Employment of political scientists is projected to grow 3 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 500 openings for political scientists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Demand for public policy analysis will support employment growth for these workers. Political scientists will continue to be needed in government to assess the impact of public policy and proposals, such as service efficiencies, budget changes, and other improvements. 

Political organizations, lobbying firms, and labor unions rely on political scientists’ knowledge to manage complex regulations. Political scientists will be needed at research and policy institutes to focus on politics and political theory. Organizations that research or advocate for specific causes, such as healthcare or the environment, need political scientists to analyze policies relating to their field.

Employment projections data for political scientists, 2023-33
Occupational Title SOC Code Employment, 2023 Projected Employment, 2033 Change, 2023-33 Employment by Industry
Percent Numeric

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program

Political scientists

19-3094 6,200 6,300 3 200 Get data

State & Area Data About this section

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area.

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.org. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

Similar Occupations About this section

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of political scientists.

Occupation Job Duties ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION Help on Entry-Level Education 2023 MEDIAN PAY Help on Median Pay
Anthropologists and archeologists Anthropologists and Archeologists

Anthropologists and archeologists study the origin, development, and behavior of humans.

Master's degree $63,800
Economists Economists

Economists conduct research, prepare reports, and evaluate issues related to monetary and fiscal policy. They also may collect and analyze statistical data.

Master's degree $115,730
Market research analysts Market Research Analysts

Market research analysts study consumer preferences, business conditions, and other factors to assess potential sales of a product or service.

Bachelor's degree $74,680
Postsecondary teachers Postsecondary Teachers

Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level.

See How to Become One $84,380
Sociologists Sociologists

Sociologists study society and social behavior by examining the groups, cultures, social institutions, and processes that develop when people interact and work together.

Master's degree $101,770
Survey researchers Survey Researchers

Survey researchers design and conduct surveys and analyze data.

Master's degree $60,960
Urban and regional planners Urban and Regional Planners

Urban and regional planners develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities in cities, counties, metropolitan areas, and other jurisdictions.

Master's degree $81,800
Geographers Geographers

Geographers study the Earth and the distribution of its land, features, and inhabitants.

Bachelor's degree $90,880
Historians Historians

Historians research, analyze, interpret, and write about the past by studying historical documents and sources.

Master's degree $72,890
Suggested citation:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Political Scientists,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/political-scientists.htm (visited December 02, 2024).

Last Modified Date: Monday, December 2, 2024

What They Do

The What They Do tab describes the typical duties and responsibilities of workers in the occupation, including what tools and equipment they use and how closely they are supervised. This tab also covers different types of occupational specialties.

Work Environment

The Work Environment tab includes the number of jobs held in the occupation and describes the workplace, the level of physical activity expected, and typical hours worked. It may also discuss the major industries that employed the occupation. This tab may also describe opportunities for part-time work, the amount and type of travel required, any safety equipment that is used, and the risk of injury that workers may face.

How to Become One

The How to Become One tab describes how to prepare for a job in the occupation. This tab can include information on education, training, work experience, licensing and certification, and important qualities that are required or helpful for entering or working in the occupation.

Pay

The Pay tab describes typical earnings and how workers in the occupation are compensated—annual salaries, hourly wages, commissions, tips, or bonuses. Within every occupation, earnings vary by experience, responsibility, performance, tenure, and geographic area. For most profiles, this tab has a table with wages in the major industries employing the occupation. It does not include pay for self-employed workers, agriculture workers, or workers in private households because these data are not collected by the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, the source of BLS wage data in the OOH.

State & Area Data

The State and Area Data tab provides links to state and area occupational data from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, state projections data from Projections Central, and occupational information from the Department of Labor's CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The Job Outlook tab describes the factors that affect employment growth or decline in the occupation, and in some instances, describes the relationship between the number of job seekers and the number of job openings.

Similar Occupations

The Similar Occupations tab describes occupations that share similar duties, skills, interests, education, or training with the occupation covered in the profile.

Contacts for More Information

The More Information tab provides the Internet addresses of associations, government agencies, unions, and other organizations that can provide additional information on the occupation. This tab also includes links to relevant occupational information from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET).

2023 Median Pay

The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. In May 2023, the median annual wage for all workers was $48,060.

On-the-job Training

Additional training needed (postemployment) to attain competency in the skills needed in this occupation.

Entry-level Education

Typical level of education that most workers need to enter this occupation.

Work experience in a related occupation

Work experience that is commonly considered necessary by employers, or is a commonly accepted substitute for more formal types of training or education.

Number of Jobs, 2023

The employment, or size, of this occupation in 2023, which is the base year of the 2023-33 employment projections.

Job Outlook, 2023-33

The projected percent change in employment from 2023 to 2033. The average growth rate for all occupations is 4 percent.

Employment Change, 2023-33

The projected numeric change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

Entry-level Education

Typical level of education that most workers need to enter this occupation.

On-the-job Training

Additional training needed (postemployment) to attain competency in the skills needed in this occupation.

Employment Change, projected 2023-33

The projected numeric change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

Growth Rate (Projected)

The percent change of employment for each occupation from 2023 to 2033.

Projected Number of New Jobs

The projected numeric change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

Projected Growth Rate

The projected percent change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

2023 Median Pay

The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. In May 2023, the median annual wage for all workers was $48,060.