How much does a political scientist make in Seattle?
$154,000a year
Median yearly pay for political scientists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area. That is $74.02 an hour or $12,830 a month.
- Hourly
- $74.02
- Vs. national median
- +8%
- Rank among cities
- 2 of 7
- Jobs in the area
- 80
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $81,790Median: $154,000Highest 10%: $225,000
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $81,790 | $39.32 | |
| 25th | $98,350 | $47.28 | |
| Median | $154,000 | $74.02 | |
| 75th | $193,500 | $93.00 | |
| 90th | $225,000 | $108.15 |
Other cities in Washington
Median yearly pay for political scientists.
| No other city in the state with data. |
Related jobs in Seattle
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Physicist | $140,400 |
| Materials Scientist | $137,500 |
| Physical Scientist | $134,700 |
| Economist | $126,400 |
| Psychologist | $124,100 |
| Epidemiologist | $124,000 |
| School Psychologist | $115,600 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $109,500 |
| Biological Scientist | $108,600 |
| Urban and Regional Planner | $108,000 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a political scientist make an hour in Seattle?
The median hourly pay in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $74.02 ($154,000 a year).
Do political scientists make more in Seattle than the national average?
Yes: $154,000 against $142,100 nationally, 8% more.
How does Seattle compare with the rest of Washington?
The median in Washington is $147,100, so Seattle pays 5% more.
Where does Seattle rank for political scientist pay?
2 of 7 metro areas with data.
How much does a political scientist make starting out in Seattle?
The lowest-paid 10% make $81,790 or less a year; the top 10% make $225,000 or more.
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.