Political Scientists
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Median Salary
$139,380
~$67/hr · ~$11,615/mo
US Jobs
7K
Decline
AI & Automation Risk
8/10
High Risk
AI & Automation Risk
High Risk 8/10
Political science is a purely digital knowledge-work occupation centered on data analysis, research, and writing, all of which are core strengths of generative AI and LLMs. While high-level strategic judgment and interpersonal networking remain human-centric, AI can now automate the collection of public opinion data, the drafting of policy briefs, and the forecasting of political trends, leading to significant productivity gains and a projected decline in total employment.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WVBEST VALUE | $153,340 | Above avg (109.5) | $139,982 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $140,970 | Above avg (112.7) | $125,050 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $130,580 | Above avg (110.4) | $118,286 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $105,300 | Average (98.2) | $107,285 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $104,990 | Average (102.4) | $102,566 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $104,640 | Above avg (104.7) | $99,966 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $98,300 | Average (102.5) | $95,916 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $80,000 | Average (100.5) | $79,617 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $76,780 | Above avg (112.1) | $68,500 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | $63,500 | Above avg (105.6) | $60,120 |
Cost of Living Index: 100 = US national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive.
Education & Requirements
Education Required
Master's degree
10-Year Growth
-3% (Decline)
Hourly Rate
~$67/hr
Monthly Income
~$11,615/mo
Related Careers
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)