Political Scientists: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Political Scientists fall under the Life, Physical, and Social Science category in the U.S. occupational classification. Political Scientists earn a median salary of $139,380 per year, ranking in the top 3% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -3.1% job growth through 2034, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do political scientists earn?

The median annual wage for political scientists is $139,380. That puts political scientists at #25 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. Pay at this level is well above the U.S. median household income, signaling sustained demand and meaningful credential requirements. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is political scientists a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for political scientists is -3.1%, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Employment is projected to move from approximately 6K positions in 2024 to 6K in 2034, a net change of 0K. A declining outlook does not mean the field is disappearing; it means automation, demographics, or substitution effects are shrinking the pool of openings. Students entering a declining field should plan for adjacent skills that transfer to growing roles.

What do political scientists do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working political scientists, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Maintain current knowledge of government policy decisions.
2. 2.Identify issues for research and analysis.
3. 3.Forecast political, economic, and social trends.
4. 4.Disseminate research results through academic publications, written reports, or public presentations.
5. 5.Collect, analyze, and interpret data, such as election results and public opinion surveys, reporting on findings, recommendations, and conclusions.
6. 6.Advise political science students.
7. 7.Interpret and analyze policies, public issues, legislation, or the operations of governments, businesses, and organizations.
8. 8.Teach political science.

Top skills for political scientists

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become political scientist?

The standard path into political scientists begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Physicists
  $166,290 median
• Astronomers
  $132,170 median
• Physical Scientists, All Other
  $117,960 median
• Psychologists, All Other
  $117,580 median
• Economists
  $115,440 median
• Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
  $109,840 median

Common questions parents ask about political scientists