Paycheck Atlas

Political Scientists salary in District of Columbia

The median political scientists in District of Columbia earns $152,530 a year, 7% above the US median. After tax that is roughly $8,546 a month.

10th percentile
$114,920
25th percentile
$128,610
Median percentile
$152,530
75th percentile
$180,480
90th percentile
$195,190

Based on 3,070 employed. Data period: BLS OEWS May 2025. Percentiles show the spread of pay, not experience; reading the 25th percentile as "entry level" is only an approximation.

What you keep

$102,555 take-home a year
Gross pay$152,530
Federal income tax−$25,341
Social Security + Medicare−$11,669
District of Columbia income tax (approx.)−$12,965
Monthly take-home$8,546
Every two weeks$3,944

Does it go far here?

$138,789Median pay in District of Columbia is worth this at average US prices (local price level 109.9 vs 100).
23%of take-home pay goes to the median rent ($1,954 a month, Census ACS).

Top-paying jobs in District of Columbia

JobMedian pay
Public Relations Managers$197,600
Computer and Information Systems Managers$195,190
Lawyers$195,190
Financial Managers$188,880
Architectural and Engineering Managers$185,220
Human Resources Managers$184,350
Marketing Managers$177,170
Purchasing Managers$175,720

All political scientists salaries · Take-home pay in District of Columbia