Political Scientists Salary in Washington
Political Scientists in Washington earn a median annual wage of $147,060 —3.5% above the national median of $142,080. That ranks WA #3 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 0.83× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in Washington.
Highest-paying states for political scientists
All 13 states ranked by median annual wage. Washington 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 Washington
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Washington.
| Occupation | Washington median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $105,680 | $103,410 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,920 | $90,150 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $98,300 | $82,220 |
| Chemists | $97,420 | $91,240 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $115,240 | $100,580 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $73,530 | $62,280 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do political scientists make in Washington?
The median annual wage for political scientists in Washington is $147,060, or $70.70 per hour. That is 3.5% above the national median of $142,080.
What is the entry-level political scientists salary in Washington?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $81,310 per year ($39.09/hour). The 25th percentile is $95,240.
How many people work as political scientists in Washington?
About 110 people work in this occupation in Washington, or 0.0 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Washington a good state for political scientists?
Washington ranks #3 of 13 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.83x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in Washington.
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).