What the Research Looks Like
A political scientist’s question can be narrow: Did a rule change alter turnout? How did two legislatures respond to the same pressure? What do reliable surveys suggest about public support for a policy? BLS describes research into political systems, public opinion, and the effects of policies and laws. The researcher chooses evidence that fits the question, which may include voting records, interviews, historical documents, legal decisions, survey results, or statistical datasets.
The finished work might be a journal article, government report, briefing, or presentation. O*NET describes political scientists gathering and interpreting evidence, testing theories, following government decisions, and communicating findings. This occupation calls for care with cause and effect. A poll can describe an opinion at one point in time; it cannot, by itself, prove why somebody holds it. The best analysis makes that distinction visible.
Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Political Scientists · O*NET OnLine: Political Scientists
Political Scientist Education Requirements
BLS lists a master’s degree as typical for the occupation. Some entry-level positions accept a bachelor’s degree, while some research and teaching employers prefer or require a Ph.D.
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Political Scientists
Degrees to Consider
Political Scientist Salary
The national median annual wage for political scientists was $142,080 in May 2025. The 10th percentile was $83,350 and the 90th percentile was $195,190.
- 10th Percentile
- $83,350
- Median
- $142,080
- 90th Percentile
- $195,190
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, U.S. estimates for Political Scientists (SOC 19-3094); 5,540 employed. These figures cover workers across experience levels. They describe occupational wages, not starting offers or earnings for everyone with a particular major. How We Read the Data.
The Institutions and the Deadlines
Political scientists work in government, research organizations, education, and related settings. A government researcher may assess a program or policy for an agency. A university researcher may design a study intended for publication and teach as part of the position. Other research groups prepare analysis for clients or the public. The subject is political, but the assignment is to produce a sound explanation, not simply argue a preferred position.
Most work is office-based and full time. Some deadlines follow an election, a legislative decision, or a publication schedule, so analysis sometimes has to be both fast and careful. Political data also bring practical limits: a survey can have nonresponse, records can use different definitions, and an apparent trend may change when the time period changes. You need to make those limits legible before someone treats a finding as settled.
Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Political Scientists · O*NET OnLine: Political Scientists
Build an Evidence Trail Employers Can Inspect
The typical route includes graduate study, often in political science, public policy, or a closely related field. Methods matter as much as subject knowledge. Learn to design a comparison, read a survey, work with public records, and make a claim proportional to the evidence. A thesis, research-assistantship, or well-documented independent project can show that you can move from a live question to a defensible finding.
Some positions accept applicants with a bachelor’s degree, especially at the beginning of a career, while some advanced research and teaching jobs expect a Ph.D. Internships in government, advocacy, campaigns, or research can teach how institutions operate, but a campaign role alone does not show the same methods as an independent research project. Keep writing samples that show analysis, source choices, and clear explanation to a nonacademic reader.
Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Political Scientists · O*NET OnLine: Political Scientists
Political Scientist vs. Political Staffer
A political science degree can lead to many careers that BLS does not classify as political scientist. The American Political Science Association describes routes into public administration, nonprofits, journalism, and business. A legislative aide may draft talking points and track bills. A campaign worker may organize voters. Those are legitimate destinations, but their main task is different from designing research about political behavior or institutions.
This distinction matters when you compare degrees and jobs. If you want to work directly on a campaign or manage public programs, look at openings in those sectors and their hiring requirements. If you want to make original, method-driven claims about politics, seek positions that ask for data collection, analysis, and written research. The job title can be broad; the deliverables tell you more.
Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Political Scientists · American Political Science Association: Career Sectors for Political Science
How to Become a Political Scientist
Study Institutions and Methods
Pair courses in political systems and policy with statistics, survey methods, and research design. Choose a topic you can examine with identifiable evidence.
Get Close to the Data
Look for a faculty project, research internship, or agency assignment where you can work with interviews, records, polling data, or comparative cases and document your contribution.
Test the Credential Requirement
Read openings in the setting you want. A master’s degree is typical for the occupation, while research-intensive or academic positions may expect doctoral training.
Show Your Reasoning
Submit a writing sample with a clear question, sources, method, findings, and limitations. Explain why the evidence supports your conclusion, not just why the subject matters to you.
Questions About This Career
Is a Political Scientist the Same as a Politician?
No. Political scientists research political systems, behavior, and policy. Elected officials and campaign staff may use that work, but their primary roles are different.
Do Political Scientists Need a Ph.D.?
Not for every job. BLS identifies a master’s degree as the typical entry credential and notes that some employers prefer or require a Ph.D., particularly for certain research and teaching positions.
Can a Political Science Major Work Without Becoming a Political Scientist?
Yes. The degree can support work in government, nonprofits, journalism, business, and other sectors. Check the actual duties and qualifications of those jobs rather than applying the political scientist occupation’s typical education requirement to every graduate.
Sources
Preparation advice connects these requirements to coursework and projects you can evaluate.
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Political Scientists: Research duties, work environment, education, and bachelor’s-entry exceptions.
- O*NET OnLine: Political Scientists: Research, policy-analysis, communication, and teaching tasks.
- American Political Science Association: Career Sectors for Political Science: Broader career paths for political science degree holders; these are not all the BLS political scientist occupation.