Political Scientist salary in Colorado
Political Scientists in Colorado earn a median of $127,260 a year ($61.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $80,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $197,490 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $142,080. Colorado ranks 6th 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 0.32). The average (mean) salary is $128,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for political scientists in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,010 | $38.47 |
| 25th percentile | $82,540 | $39.68 |
| Median | $127,260 | $61.18 |
| 75th percentile | $175,530 | $84.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $197,490 | $94.95 |
| Average (mean) | $128,590 | $61.82 |
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 | $10,605 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,302.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,894.62 |
| Weekly | $2,447.31 |
| Hourly | $61.18 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| School Psychologist | $124,770 | $59.98 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $101,340 | $48.72 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $113,290 | $54.46 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $105,390 | $50.67 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $120,660 | $58.01 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $68,620 | $32.99 |
| Economist | $121,410 | $58.37 |
| Survey Researcher | $89,870 | $43.21 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $101,400 | $48.75 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $85,990 | $41.34 |
| Biological Technician | $59,400 | $28.56 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $63,760 | $30.66 |
| Chemist | $101,980 | $49.03 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $114,410 | $55.00 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
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 Colorado?
The median salary for political scientists in Colorado is $127,260 a year, or $61.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $80,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $197,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid political scientists make in Colorado?
The top 10% of political scientists in Colorado earn at least $197,490 a year. The top 25% earn $175,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for political scientists in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $80,010 a year, and a quarter of political scientists earn $82,540 or less.
How many political scientists work in Colorado?
About 30 political scientists are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.