Life As a Political Scientist
Political Scientist Definition Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. May study topics, such as public opinion, political decision-making, and ideology. May analyze the structure and operation of governments, as well as various political entities. May conduct public opinion surveys, analyze election results, or analyze public documents.
A Day in the Life of a Political Scientist
- Provide media commentary or criticism related to public policy and political issues and events.
- Develop and test theories, using information from interviews, newspapers, periodicals, case law, historical papers, polls, or statistical sources.
- Evaluate programs and policies, and make related recommendations to institutions and organizations.
- Forecast political, economic, and social trends.
- Maintain current knowledge of government policy decisions.
- Write drafts of legislative proposals, and prepare speeches, correspondence, and policy papers for governmental use.
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Political Scientist Required Skills
Political Scientists state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Related Job Titles
- International Affairs Vice President
- Political Analyst
- Legislative Analyst
- Political Aide
- Program Analyst
Is There Going to be Demand for Political Scientists?
There were about 7,300 jobs for Political Scientist in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 2.7% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 200 new jobs for Political Scientist by 2026. The BLS estimates 700 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Political Scientist are North Carolina, Ohio, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in Texas, Pennsylvania, or Maryland. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Political Scientist
The average yearly salary of a Political Scientist ranges between $59,300 and $164,200.
Political Scientists who work in Virginia, Maryland, or New York, make the highest salaries.
How much do Political Scientists make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $74,060 |
| District of Columbia | $120,610 |
| Florida | $95,120 |
| Illinois | $80,520 |
| Maine | $72,850 |
| Maryland | $123,150 |
| Massachusetts | $88,120 |
| Michigan | $95,570 |
| New York | $122,440 |
| Pennsylvania | $102,110 |
| Texas | $87,610 |
| Virginia | $128,590 |
| Washington | $84,480 |
What Tools do Political Scientists Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Political Scientists:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Access
- Email software
- SAP
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft SharePoint
- SAS
- Microsoft Publisher
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- R
- StataCorp Stata
- WinBUGS
- Bare Bones Software BBEdit
How to Become a Political Scientist
Learn what Political Scientist education requirements there are.
What work experience do I need to become a Political Scientist?
Where do Political Scientists Work?
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Related Careers
Those interested in being a Political Scientist may also be interested in:
Those who work as a Political Scientist sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: UKWiki at English Wikipedia via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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