Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
Communicating clearly through speech while listening carefully to understand others.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Political Scientist Political scientists learn to analyze quantitative and qualitative data. To enter the occupation, political scientists typically need a master’s degree in political science, public administration, or a related field. However, some employers consider candidates who have a bachelor’s degree; others may prefer a Ph.D.
Education
Political scientists typically need a master’s degree to enter the occupation. Relevant master’s degree programs include fields such as political science, public administration, and public policy. These programs often have courses in other disciplines, such as psychology and economics, as well as in government, policy, and politics. Employers may consider candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in political science for certain entry-level positions, such as with political campaigns or in government. Some employers prefer that political scientist candidates have a Ph.D., which requires several years of study beyond a bachelor’s degree. Prospective political scientists may benefit from participating in internship or volunteer opportunities while in school. These experiences may offer students a chance to develop the analytical, research, and other skills they need to be successful.
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Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of political scientists is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, decline. About 400 openings for political scientists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment Demand for these workers is tied to federal funding, as more than half of political scientists are employed in the federal government. Therefore, budgetary constraints are expected to directly impact the employment of political scientists. Political organizations, lobbying firms, and labor unions rely on political scientists’ knowledge to manage complex regulations. Political scientists are expected to be needed at research and policy institutes to focus on politics and political theory. Organizations that research or advocate for specific causes, such as healthcare or the environment, will likely continue to need political scientists to analyze policies relating to their field. Political Scientists Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Social scientists and related workers 4% Total, all occupations 3% Political scientists -2% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Political Scientists Do
Political scientists study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. They may research topics such as public opinion, political decision-making, and ideology. They also may analyze the structure of governments and political entities.
Duties
Political scientists typically do the following:
- Research political subjects, such as the U.S. political system and foreign relations
- Collect and analyze data from public opinion surveys and other sources
- Develop and test political theories
- Evaluate the effects of policies and laws on government, businesses, and people
- Monitor current events, policy decisions, and related issues
- Forecast political, economic, and social trends
- Share research results by giving presentations and publishing articles
Political scientists conduct research in many areas, such as national politics, comparative politics, international relations, and political theory.
Political scientists gather and analyze information from numerous sources. They evaluate current policies and events and try to anticipate the effects of new policies. For example, they may use historical documents to study past government structures and policies. Or they may review voter registration data to identify voting patterns.
Political scientists may have other job titles, such as government affairs specialist, political consultant, and political research scientist. Their research on domestic or international policies that affect a particular region or population may help in planning and development.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Political scientists held about 6,100 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of political scientists were as follows:
| Federal government, excluding postal service | 68% |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 11 |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 8 |
| Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations | 3 |
Work Schedules
Most political scientists work full time. They sometimes work additional hours to finish reports and meet deadlines.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Adaptability. Political scientists must be able to adjust their research methods as current events develop. Communication skills. Political scientists must be able to explain their findings to a variety of audiences. Creativity. Political scientists must continually explore new ideas, stay current on political subjects, and come up with new ways to address issues. Critical-thinking skills. Political scientists must be able to draw logical conclusions from the data and information they collect, analyze, and interpret. Decision-making skills. Political scientists need to balance a variety of objectives and choose appropriate research methods for the topics they study. Detail oriented. Political scientists need to be precise in evaluating and recording the results of their research. Interpersonal skills. Political scientists may collaborate with other researchers when writing reports or giving presentations.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about political scientists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.