All About Political Scientists
Job Description & Duties 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
- Write drafts of legislative proposals, and prepare speeches, correspondence, and policy papers for governmental use.
- Provide media commentary or criticism related to public policy and political issues and events.
- Disseminate research results through academic publications, written reports, or public presentations.
- Develop and test theories, using information from interviews, newspapers, periodicals, case law, historical papers, polls, or statistical sources.
- Forecast political, economic, and social trends.
- Evaluate programs and policies, and make related recommendations to institutions and organizations.
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Political Scientist Skills
When polled, Political Scientists say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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.
Other Political Scientist Job Titles
- Government Affairs Specialist
- Program Analyst
- Political Analyst
- Government Affairs Researcher
- Policy Officer
Political Scientist Employment Estimates
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 7,300 jobs in the United States for Political Scientist. 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 700 job openings in this field each year.
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.
How Much Does a Political Scientist Make?
The typical yearly salary for Political Scientists is somewhere 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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Political Scientists
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
Becoming a Political Scientist
Learn what Political Scientist education requirements there are.
What work experience do I need to become a Political Scientist?
Where Political Scientists Are Employed
Below are examples of industries where Political Scientists work:
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
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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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