Political Scientist salary in Washington
Political Scientists in Washington earn a median of $147,060 a year ($70.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $81,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $214,960 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $142,080. Washington ranks 3rd of 13 states for political scientists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.03 political scientists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $143,510, close to the median.
Pay range for political scientists in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,310 | $39.09 |
| 25th percentile | $95,240 | $45.79 |
| Median | $147,060 | $70.70 |
| 75th percentile | $193,450 | $93.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $214,960 | $103.35 |
| Average (mean) | $143,510 | $69.00 |
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 | $12,255 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,127.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,656.15 |
| Weekly | $2,828.08 |
| Hourly | $70.70 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $153,960 | 80 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Urban and Regional Planners | $100,990 | $48.56 |
| School Psychologist | $108,780 | $52.30 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $115,240 | $55.40 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $102,920 | $49.48 |
| Economist | $109,300 | $52.55 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $128,230 | $61.65 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $74,790 | $35.96 |
| Sociologist | $97,170 | $46.72 |
| Survey Researcher | $69,590 | $33.46 |
| Geographer | $112,260 | $53.97 |
| Historian | $99,720 | $47.94 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $105,680 | $50.81 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $98,300 | $47.26 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,920 | $49.48 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for political scientists in Washington is $147,060 a year, or $70.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $81,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $214,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid political scientists make in Washington?
The top 10% of political scientists in Washington earn at least $214,960 a year. The top 25% earn $193,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for political scientists in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,310 a year, and a quarter of political scientists earn $95,240 or less.
How many political scientists work in Washington?
About 110 political scientists are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.