Political Scientist salary in Massachusetts
Political Scientists in Massachusetts earn a median of $133,930 a year ($64.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $217,820 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $142,080. Massachusetts ranks 5th of 13 states for political scientists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.05 political scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $139,440, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for political scientists in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,010 | $36.54 |
| 25th percentile | $106,960 | $51.42 |
| Median | $133,930 | $64.39 |
| 75th percentile | $170,110 | $81.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $217,820 | $104.72 |
| Average (mean) | $139,440 | $67.04 |
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 | $11,160.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,580.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,151.15 |
| Weekly | $2,575.58 |
| Hourly | $64.39 |
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 Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $133,930 | 190 |
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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| School Psychologist | $98,670 | $47.44 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $115,180 | $55.37 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $99,780 | $47.97 |
| Economist | $106,380 | $51.14 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $105,640 | $50.79 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $129,410 | $62.22 |
| Sociologist | $106,530 | $51.22 |
| Survey Researcher | $74,890 | $36.01 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $121,300 | $58.32 |
| Historian | $121,710 | $58.51 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $128,210 | $61.64 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $131,600 | $63.27 |
| Biological Technician | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Chemist | $125,000 | $60.09 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for political scientists in Massachusetts is $133,930 a year, or $64.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $217,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid political scientists make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of political scientists in Massachusetts earn at least $217,820 a year. The top 25% earn $170,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for political scientists in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,010 a year, and a quarter of political scientists earn $106,960 or less.
How many political scientists work in Massachusetts?
About 170 political scientists are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.