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.
Political Scientists
SOC: 19-3094 O*NET: 19-3094.00
Median Salary
$139,380
per year
Job Growth
📉 -3.1%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
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.
What does a Political Scientists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$74,750
10th percentile
Early Career
$103,030
25th percentile
Median
$139,380
50th percentile
Experienced
$172,050
75th percentile
Top Earners
$191,880
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$74,750
25th
$103,030
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$139,380
Mean: $137,600
75th
$172,050
90th
$191,880
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $117,130 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $103,030 and $172,050
- •Salary spread is 49.5% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 5,950 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:6,500
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services15.8%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services15.8%
Scientific Research and Development Services12.1%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-3.1%
Annual Openings:500
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)6,500
Current
2034 (Projected)6,300
-3.1%
-200
Employment Change
-3.1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Political Scientists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 17 locations
District of Columbia
3,250 jobs$153,320118.81x
Virginia
660 jobs$163,9504.18x
Florida
210 jobs$00.54x
New York
210 jobs$74,0800.56x
Texas
170 jobs$111,7200.32x
Washington
140 jobs$140,9701.04x
Maryland
130 jobs$148,6801.23x
Michigan
120 jobs$125,7500.71x
Illinois
110 jobs$98,3000.47x
Pennsylvania
90 jobs$132,6400.39x
New Jersey
70 jobs$74,7600.41x
California
50 jobs$130,6300.07x
Ohio
50 jobs$99,1300.22x
Arizona
40 jobs$104,1000.35x
Georgia
30 jobs$80,0000.16x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Reading Comprehension
100%
#2
Active Learning
94%
#3
Active Listening
86%
#4
Speaking
80%
#5
Critical Thinking
74%
#6
Writing
66%
#7
Social Perceptiveness
60%
#8
Complex Problem Solving
54%
#9
Judgment and Decision Making
46%
#10
Instructing
40%
Skills Overview
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Active Learning
advanced4.7
94%
Active Listening
intermediate4.3
86%
Speaking
intermediate4.0
80%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.7
74%
Writing
intermediate3.3
66%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate3.0
60%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Active Learning
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Instructing
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers82%
5 shared skills
Urologists82%
5 shared skills
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary82%
5 shared skills
Audiologists82%
5 shared skills
Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys82%
5 shared skills
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Writing
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Active Learning
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Active Learning
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Political Scientists
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
IBM SPSS Statistics
🔥 Hot TechSAS
🔥 Hot TechTableau
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft SharePoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechPython
🔥 Hot TechR
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
IBM SPSS Statistics
SAS
Tableau
Microsoft Access
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Python
R
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
14
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Training & Development (1)General Responsibilities (7)Planning & Development (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Analysis & Evaluation (3)
1
Teach political science.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development100% perform100%
2
Disseminate research results through academic publications, written reports, or public presentations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Identify issues for research and analysis.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Develop and test theories, using information from interviews, newspapers, periodicals, case law, historical papers, polls, or statistical sources.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development91% perform94%
5
Maintain current knowledge of government policy decisions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform92%
6
Collect, analyze, and interpret data, such as election results and public opinion surveys, reporting on findings, recommendations, and conclusions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation85% perform90%
7
Interpret and analyze policies, public issues, legislation, or the operations of governments, businesses, and organizations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation82% perform88%
8
Evaluate programs and policies, and make related recommendations to institutions and organizations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation79% perform86%
9
Write drafts of legislative proposals, and prepare speeches, correspondence, and policy papers for governmental use.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform84%
10
Forecast political, economic, and social trends.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on training & development activities
- •50% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Political Scientists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Political Scientists professionals typically have a IAE Holland code and highly value achievement
IInvestigative
AArtistic
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Political Scientists
Analytical Thinking
CriticalAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.81
Achievement/Effort
Very ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level4.48
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.42
Persistence
Very ImportantPersistence
Importance Level4.42
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.35
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.35
Complete Work Styles Profile
Analytical Thinking
4.8
Achievement/Effort
4.5
Initiative
4.4
Persistence
4.4
Attention to Detail
4.3
Integrity
4.3
Independence
4.3
Dependability
3.9
Innovation
3.9
Stress Tolerance
3.7
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Training:
Extensive training and work experience required
💼 Experience Requirement
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Master's or doctoral degree
- • Extensive work experience in the field
- • State licensure or professional certification
5
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification
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