Political Scientists in District of Columbia
Thinking about a career as a Political Scientists in District of Columbia? Here’s what the data says. Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. May study topics, such as public opinion, political decisionmaking, 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. Excludes “Survey Researchers” (19-3022).
What do Political Scientists Make in District of Columbia?
For political scientists working in District of Columbia, the median annual wage is $153,320 per year (or about $73.71/hour).Annual wages span from $110,590 at the 10th percentile to $191,880 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $110,590 | $53.17 |
| 25th percentile | $125,820 | $60.49 |
| Median (50th) | $153,320 | $73.71 |
| 75th percentile | $181,210 | $87.12 |
| 90th percentile | $191,880 | $92.25 |
The job concentration index in District of Columbia compared to the national average — is 118.81, suggesting that political scientists are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, political scientists earn a median of $71,521 per year ($34.39/hour), above the District of Columbia median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 192,429 political scientists in the U.S.. In District of Columbia alone, approximately 3,250 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 120 political scientists.
Top District of Columbia Metros for Political Scientists
The largest metro-area employers of political scientists in District of Columbia.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 3,910 | $153,340 |
Top States for Political Scientists Employment
View the states that employ the most political scientists work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 3,250 |
| Virginia | 660 |
| New York | 210 |
| Florida | 210 |
| Texas | 170 |
| Washington | 140 |
| Maryland | 130 |
| Michigan | 120 |
| Illinois | 110 |
| Pennsylvania | 90 |
| New Jersey | 70 |
| California | 50 |
| Ohio | 50 |
| Arizona | 40 |
| Georgia | 30 |
Highest-Paying States for Political Scientists
The highest-paying states for political scientists.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Virginia | $163,950 |
| District of Columbia | $153,320 |
| Maryland | $148,680 |
| Washington | $140,970 |
| Pennsylvania | $132,640 |
| California | $130,630 |
| Massachusetts | $130,580 |
| Michigan | $125,750 |
| Texas | $111,720 |
| Arizona | $104,100 |
Skills
Key political scientists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for political scientists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Teach political science.
- Maintain current knowledge of government policy decisions.
- Develop and test theories, using information from interviews, newspapers, periodicals, case law, historical papers, polls, or statistical sources.
- Disseminate research results through academic publications, written reports, or public presentations.
- Advise political science students.
- Collect, analyze, and interpret data, such as election results and public opinion surveys, reporting on findings, recommendations, and conclusions.
- Interpret and analyze policies, public issues, legislation, or the operations of governments, businesses, and organizations.
- Identify issues for research and analysis.
- Serve on committees.
- Forecast political, economic, and social trends.
- Consult with and advise government officials, civic bodies, research agencies, the media, political parties, and others concerned with political issues.
- Evaluate programs and policies, and make related recommendations to institutions and organizations.
Work Activities
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Getting Information
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Processing Information
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Training and Teaching Others
- Thinking Creatively
- Working with Computers
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Adobe Acrobat, IBM SPSS Statistics In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Political Science & Government
- International Relations & Security
- International Studies
- Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
- History and Political Science
- Public Policy
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Related occupations to political scientists include:
- Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers
- Labor Relations Specialists
- Management Analysts
- Climate Change Policy Analysts
- Economists
- Environmental Economists
Also Known As
Citizen Participation Specialist, Government Affairs Researcher, Government Affairs Specialist, Health Policy Analyst, Legislative Affairs Specialist, Legislative Analyst, Legislative Liaison, Legislative Policy Analyst, Local Governance Specialist, Medical Policy Analyst, Policy Advisor, Policy Analyst, Policy Associate, Policy Officer, Policy Specialist.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 19-3094.00