Political Scientist salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A political scientist earns a median of $142,080 a year ($68.31 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $142,510. About 5,540 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $142,080
- Gross pay
- $5,464.62
- Federal income tax
- −$878.20
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$338.81
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$79.24
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $4,168.37
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $142,080
- Federal
- $22,833
- FICA
- $10,869
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $108,378
- Marginal federal rate
- 24.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
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- Nuclear Technician: $110,240
BLS occupation: Political Scientists. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 19-3094). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a political scientist make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $68.31; the average is $68.51.
What is the salary range for a political scientist?
The bottom 10% earn under $83,350 and the top 10% earn over $195,190 a year.
How much is $142,080 after taxes?
About $108,378 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $97,562 in California for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.