Political Scientists · Massachusetts

Political Scientists Salary in Massachusetts

Political Scientists in Massachusetts earn a median annual wage of $133,930 —5.7% below the national median of $142,080. That ranks MA #5 of 13 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$133,930
Median hourly
$64.39
Entry level (P10)
$76,010
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$217,820
90th percentile
Employment
170
0.0 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
-5.7%
U.S. $142,080

Wage distribution

How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.

10th percentile90th percentile
$76,010
$106,960
$133,930
$170,110
$76,010$133,930$217,820
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $133,930.

Employment is 1.30× as concentrated as the national average, making Massachusetts a strong market for this occupation.

Highest-paying states for political scientists

All 13 states ranked by median annual wage. Massachusetts is highlighted.

#StateMedian annual Median hourlyEmploymentLocation quotient
1Maryland$153,380$73.741001.05
2District of Columbia$152,530$73.333,070122.81
3Washington$147,060$70.701100.83
4Pennsylvania$140,020$67.32700.33
5Massachusetts$133,930$64.391701.30
6Colorado$127,260$61.18300.32
7Oregon$119,460$57.43——
8Ohio$119,370$57.39400.22
9Texas$114,050$54.831600.32
10Arizona$108,770$52.29500.42

Related occupations in Massachusetts

Occupations in the same job family, compared within Massachusetts.

Frequently asked questions

How much do political scientists make in Massachusetts?

The median annual wage for political scientists in Massachusetts is $133,930, or $64.39 per hour. That is 5.7% below the national median of $142,080.

What is the entry-level political scientists salary in Massachusetts?

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $76,010 per year ($36.54/hour). The 25th percentile is $106,960.

How many people work as political scientists in Massachusetts?

About 170 people work in this occupation in Massachusetts, or 0.0 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

Is Massachusetts a good state for political scientists?

Massachusetts ranks #5 of 13 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.30x as concentrated as the national average, making Massachusetts a strong market for this occupation.

Which state pays political scientists the most?

Maryland has the highest median wage at $153,380 per year, followed by District of Columbia ($152,530) and Washington ($147,060).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, cross-industry estimates. Retrieved 2026-10-26. Figures are rounded by BLS to the nearest dollar (annual) and cent (hourly). Percentile wages describe the distribution of workers, not the pay range for a single job posting. bls.gov/oes