Political Scientists salary in Washington, DC
The median political scientists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV earns $156,730 a year, 10% above the US median. After tax that is roughly $8,756 a month.
- 10th percentile
- $118,290
- 25th percentile
- $128,610
- Median percentile
- $156,730
- 75th percentile
- $185,220
- 90th percentile
- $195,190
Based on 3,700 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
$105,069 take-home a year
| Gross pay | $156,730 |
| Federal income tax | −$26,349 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$11,990 |
| District of Columbia income tax (approx.) | −$13,322 |
| Monthly take-home | $8,756 |
| Every two weeks | $4,041 |
Does it go far here?
$143,942Median pay in Washington, DC is worth this at average US prices (local price level 108.9 vs 100).
23%of take-home pay goes to the median rent ($2,027 a month, Census ACS).
Top-paying jobs in Washington, DC
| Job | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Psychiatrists | $246,990 |
| Emergency Medicine Physicians | $239,200 |
| Family Medicine Physicians | $225,140 |
| General Internal Medicine Physicians | $223,250 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $209,750 |
| Physicians, All Other | $208,710 |
| Public Relations Managers | $195,190 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $195,190 |
All political scientists salaries · Take-home pay in District of Columbia