Political Scientist salary in Arizona
Political Scientists in Arizona earn a median of $108,770 a year ($52.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $71,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $163,430 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $142,080. Arizona ranks 10th of 13 states for political scientists pay. There are 0.01 political scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.42). The average (mean) salary is $117,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for political scientists in Arizona
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,800 | $34.52 |
| 25th percentile | $81,200 | $39.04 |
| Median | $108,770 | $52.29 |
| 75th percentile | $159,120 | $76.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $163,430 | $78.57 |
| Average (mean) | $117,910 | $56.69 |
Half of political scientists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $9,064.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,532.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,183.46 |
| Weekly | $2,091.73 |
| Hourly | $52.29 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Political Scientist salary in cities in Arizona
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $114,320 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for political scientists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $153,380 |
| District of Columbia | $152,530 |
| Washington | $147,060 |
| Pennsylvania | $140,020 |
| Massachusetts | $133,930 |
| Colorado | $127,260 |
| Oregon | $119,460 |
| Ohio | $119,370 |
| Texas | $114,050 |
| Arizona | $108,770 |
Related jobs in Arizona
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Urban and Regional Planners | $102,400 | $49.23 |
| School Psychologist | $92,380 | $44.42 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $119,010 | $57.22 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $99,320 | $47.75 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $65,290 | $31.39 |
| Economist | $79,610 | $38.28 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $137,510 | $66.11 |
| Survey Researcher | $59,210 | $28.47 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $89,480 | $43.02 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $116,820 | $56.16 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,600 | $38.75 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $56,660 | $27.24 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $61,680 | $29.65 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $63,250 | $30.41 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Arizona
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-3094. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a political scientist make in Arizona?
The median salary for political scientists in Arizona is $108,770 a year, or $52.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $71,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $163,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid political scientists make in Arizona?
The top 10% of political scientists in Arizona earn at least $163,430 a year. The top 25% earn $159,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for political scientists in Arizona?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $71,800 a year, and a quarter of political scientists earn $81,200 or less.
How many political scientists work in Arizona?
About 50 political scientists are employed in Arizona, not counting the self-employed.