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Occupation · SOC 19-3094

Political Scientists

There are 5,540 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $142,080 a year. The most jobs are in Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV.

ScienceTypical education: Master's degree
5,540
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$142,080
Median pay a year
Middle half: $114,030–$174,180
400
Annual openings
10-year change: −2%
98
LCA filings, last 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

7 of 7 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $156,730 · LCA filings 293,700$156,73029
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $133,930 · LCA filings 5190$133,9305
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay n/a · LCA filings 22110n/a22
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $103,780 · LCA filings 190$103,7801
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay $153,960 · LCA filings 480$153,9604
Ann Arbor, MIMedian pay $86,290 · LCA filings 060$86,2900
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZMedian pay $114,320 · LCA filings 230$114,3202

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployment 3,700 · LCA filings 29$156,7303,70029
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 80 · LCA filings 4$153,960804
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHEmployment 190 · LCA filings 5$133,9301905
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZEmployment 30 · LCA filings 2$114,320302
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INEmployment 90 · LCA filings 1$103,780901

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployers with LCA filings 21 · Employment 3,70029213,700
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployers with LCA filings 13 · Employment 1102213110
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHEmployers with LCA filings 3 · Employment 19053190
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployers with LCA filings 3 · Employment 804380
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZEmployers with LCA filings 2 · Employment 302230

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $137,030 · Level III $156,104 · Level IV $175,198$117,936$137,030$156,104$175,198
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $107,640 · Level III $135,470 · Level IV $163,280$79,830$107,640$135,470$163,280
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $118,747 · Level III $142,272 · Level IV $165,818$95,202$118,747$142,272$165,818
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $93,434 · Level III $105,123 · Level IV $116,792$81,765$93,434$105,123$116,792
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $117,957 · Level III $146,682 · Level IV $175,406$89,232$117,957$146,682$175,406
Ann Arbor, MILevel II $90,646 · Level III $110,490 · Level IV $130,354$70,782$90,646$110,490$130,354
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZLevel II $103,106 · Level III $124,654 · Level IV $146,182$81,578$103,106$124,654$146,182

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Political Science and GovernmentCIP 45.10 · Usually needs more educationOPT · up to 12 months1,637OPT · up to 12 months
Public Policy AnalysisCIP 44.05OPT · up to 12 months702OPT · up to 12 months
International Relations and National Security StudiesCIP 45.09OPT · up to 12 months1,785OPT · up to 12 months

See Political Scientists in every metro area

All 7 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Science

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology