Political Scientists Salary in Pennsylvania
Political Scientists in Pennsylvania earn a median annual wage of $140,020 —1.4% below the national median of $142,080. That ranks PA #4 of 13 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.33× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in Pennsylvania.
Highest-paying states for political scientists
All 13 states ranked by median annual wage. Pennsylvania is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland | $153,380 | $73.74 | 100 | 1.05 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $152,530 | $73.33 | 3,070 | 122.81 |
| 3 | Washington | $147,060 | $70.70 | 110 | 0.83 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | $140,020 | $67.32 | 70 | 0.33 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $133,930 | $64.39 | 170 | 1.30 |
| 6 | Colorado | $127,260 | $61.18 | 30 | 0.32 |
| 7 | Oregon | $119,460 | $57.43 | — | — |
| 8 | Ohio | $119,370 | $57.39 | 40 | 0.22 |
| 9 | Texas | $114,050 | $54.83 | 160 | 0.32 |
| 10 | Arizona | $108,770 | $52.29 | 50 | 0.42 |
Related occupations in Pennsylvania
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Pennsylvania.
| Occupation | Pennsylvania median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $99,190 | $103,410 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,050 | $90,150 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,110 | $82,220 |
| Chemists | $77,090 | $91,240 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $91,870 | $100,580 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $57,680 | $62,280 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do political scientists make in Pennsylvania?
The median annual wage for political scientists in Pennsylvania is $140,020, or $67.32 per hour. That is 1.4% below the national median of $142,080.
What is the entry-level political scientists salary in Pennsylvania?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $70,450 per year ($33.87/hour). The 25th percentile is $89,750.
How many people work as political scientists in Pennsylvania?
About 70 people work in this occupation in Pennsylvania, or 0.0 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Pennsylvania a good state for political scientists?
Pennsylvania ranks #4 of 13 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.33x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in Pennsylvania.
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).