# Political Scientists

> 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/political-scientists
- SOC code: 19-3094.00
- Career family: Science
- Median annual pay: $142,080 (10th percentile $83,350, 90th percentile $195,190)
- Projected growth: Decline, -2.0%
- Openings a year: 400
- Typical entry education: Master's degree
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code IAE)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 0 |
| Investigative (I) | 95 |
| Artistic (A) | 48 |
| Social (S) | 40 |
| Enterprising (E) | 44 |
| Conventional (C) | 42 |

## What you'd do

- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 95/100)
- Getting Information (importance 95/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 92/100)
- Processing Information (importance 90/100)
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (importance 89/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 88/100)
- Training and Teaching Others (importance 87/100)
- Thinking Creatively (importance 81/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 80/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 78/100)

## Skills

Reading Comprehension, Active Learning, Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Writing, Social Perceptiveness, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Instructing

## Knowledge

Law and Government, English Language, Education and Training, History and Archeology, Mathematics, Communications and Media, Sociology and Anthropology, Geography, Philosophy and Theology, Computers and Electronics

## Also called

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

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Political Science and Government](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4510) (CIP 4510, 1,292 colleges)
- [International Relations and National Security Studies](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4509) (CIP 4509, 450 colleges)
- [International/Globalization Studies](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/3020) (CIP 3020, 443 colleges)
- [Public Policy Analysis](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4405) (CIP 4405, 242 colleges)
- Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (CIP 3051, 22 colleges)
- History and Political Science (CIP 3046, 21 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Cornell University-New York](https://www.collegesref.com/college/cornell-university-new-york-710) | Public Policy Analysis | $91,332 | $126,767 | $12,696 |
| [Johns Hopkins University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/johns-hopkins-university-1344) | Political Science and Government | $50,127 | $121,729 | not reported |
| [Princeton University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/princeton-university-2154) | Public Policy Analysis | $75,701 | $107,792 | not reported |
| [Dartmouth College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/dartmouth-college-769) | Political Science and Government | $75,950 | $106,153 | $14,558 |
| [Duke University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/duke-university-837) | Public Policy Analysis | $70,713 | $103,071 | $13,625 |
| [Vanderbilt University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/vanderbilt-university-3113) | Political Science and Government | $60,034 | $102,789 | $14,788 |
| [Columbia University in the City of New York](https://www.collegesref.com/college/columbia-university-in-the-city-of-new-york-656) | Political Science and Government | $72,705 | $100,245 | $21,500 |
| [Colby College-Maine](https://www.collegesref.com/college/colby-college-maine-598) | Political Science and Government | $62,942 | $96,621 | $15,750 |

## Related careers

- [Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/political-science-teachers-postsecondary): $98,070 median pay
- [Sociologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/sociologists): $106,030 median pay
- [Economists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/economists): $124,720 median pay
- [Law Teachers, Postsecondary](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/law-teachers-postsecondary): $128,500 median pay
- [Legislators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/legislators)
- [Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/sociology-teachers-postsecondary): $84,290 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.