How much does a political scientist make in District of Columbia?
$152,500a year
Median yearly pay for political scientists in District of Columbia. That is $73.33 an hour or $12,710 a month.
- Hourly
- $73.33
- Vs. national median
- +7%
- Rank among states
- 2 of 13
- Jobs in the state
- 3,070
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $114,900Median: $152,500Highest 10%: $195,200
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $114,900 | $55.25 | |
| 25th | $128,600 | $61.83 | |
| Median | $152,500 | $73.33 | |
| 75th | $180,500 | $86.77 | |
| 90th | $195,200 | $93.84 |
Cities in District of Columbia
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Washington, DC | $156,700 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for political scientists.
| 1. Maryland | $153,400 |
| 2. District of Columbia | $152,500 |
| 3. Washington | $147,100 |
| 4. Pennsylvania | $140,000 |
| 5. Massachusetts | $133,900 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a political scientist make an hour in District of Columbia?
The median hourly pay in District of Columbia is $73.33 ($152,500 a year).
Do political scientists make more in District of Columbia than the national average?
Yes: $152,500 against $142,100 nationally, 7% more.
Where does District of Columbia rank for political scientist pay?
District of Columbia ranks 2 of 13 states.
Which city in District of Columbia pays political scientists the most?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, with a median of $156,700 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.