Political Scientist salary in Michigan
Political Scientists in Michigan earn a median of $86,290 a year ($41.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $68,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $155,740 for the top 10%. That is 39% lower than the national median of $142,080. Michigan ranks 12th of 13 states for political scientists pay. There are 0.04 political scientists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $102,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for political scientists in Michigan
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,380 | $32.88 |
| 25th percentile | $78,950 | $37.96 |
| Median | $86,290 | $41.49 |
| 75th percentile | $109,580 | $52.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $155,740 | $74.88 |
| Average (mean) | $102,060 | $49.07 |
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 | $7,190.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,595.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,318.85 |
| Weekly | $1,659.42 |
| Hourly | $41.49 |
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 Michigan
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $86,290 | 60 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $79,990 | n/a |
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 Michigan
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $84,730 | $40.74 |
| School Psychologist | $83,960 | $40.36 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $78,510 | $37.75 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $84,260 | $40.51 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $88,510 | $42.56 |
| Economist | $106,350 | $51.13 |
| Survey Researcher | $101,550 | $48.82 |
| Sociologist | $88,040 | $42.33 |
| Historian | $62,920 | $30.25 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $64,700 | $31.11 |
| Chemist | $97,440 | $46.85 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $84,080 | $40.42 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,080 | $36.58 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $84,310 | $40.53 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Michigan
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 Michigan?
The median salary for political scientists in Michigan is $86,290 a year, or $41.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $68,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $155,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid political scientists make in Michigan?
The top 10% of political scientists in Michigan earn at least $155,740 a year. The top 25% earn $109,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for political scientists in Michigan?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,380 a year, and a quarter of political scientists earn $78,950 or less.
How many political scientists work in Michigan?
About 180 political scientists are employed in Michigan, not counting the self-employed.