Political Scientist salary in Pennsylvania
Political Scientists in Pennsylvania earn a median of $140,020 a year ($67.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $70,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $203,130 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $142,080. Pennsylvania ranks 4th of 13 states for political scientists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.01 political scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.33). The average (mean) salary is $136,350, close to the median.
Pay range for political scientists in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $70,450 | $33.87 |
| 25th percentile | $89,750 | $43.15 |
| Median | $140,020 | $67.32 |
| 75th percentile | $169,580 | $81.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $203,130 | $97.66 |
| Average (mean) | $136,350 | $65.56 |
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 | $11,668.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,834.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,385.38 |
| Weekly | $2,692.69 |
| Hourly | $67.32 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $91,870 | $44.17 |
| School Psychologist | $82,190 | $39.51 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $80,810 | $38.85 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $95,650 | $45.98 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $97,640 | $46.94 |
| Economist | $115,000 | $55.29 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $79,660 | $38.30 |
| Historian | $71,970 | $34.60 |
| Survey Researcher | $63,310 | $30.44 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $99,190 | $47.69 |
| Chemist | $77,090 | $37.06 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,050 | $41.85 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,110 | $36.59 |
| Biological Technician | $54,950 | $26.42 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for political scientists in Pennsylvania is $140,020 a year, or $67.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $70,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $203,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid political scientists make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of political scientists in Pennsylvania earn at least $203,130 a year. The top 25% earn $169,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for political scientists in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $70,450 a year, and a quarter of political scientists earn $89,750 or less.
How many political scientists work in Pennsylvania?
About 70 political scientists are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.