What Does it Take to Be a Political Scientist?
Political Scientist Job Description Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. May study topics, such as public opinion, political decision-making, and ideology. May analyze the structure and operation of governments, as well as various political entities. May conduct public opinion surveys, analyze election results, or analyze public documents.
List of Political Scientist Job Duties
- Write drafts of legislative proposals, and prepare speeches, correspondence, and policy papers for governmental use.
- Interpret and analyze policies, public issues, legislation, or the operations of governments, businesses, and organizations.
- Disseminate research results through academic publications, written reports, or public presentations.
- Collect, analyze, and interpret data such as election results and public opinion surveys, reporting on findings, recommendations, and conclusions.
- Consult with and advise government officials, civic bodies, research agencies, the media, political parties, and others concerned with political issues.
- Provide media commentary or criticism related to public policy and political issues and events.
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Political Scientist Skills
These are the skills Political Scientists say are the most useful in their careers:
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Other Political Scientist Job Titles
- Deputy Director
- Policy Officer
- Political Advisor
- Program Analyst
- Government Affairs Researcher
Is There Going to be Demand for Political Scientists?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 7,300 jobs in the United States for Political Scientist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 2.7% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 200 new jobs for Political Scientist by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 700 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Political Scientist are North Carolina, Ohio, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in Texas, Pennsylvania, or Maryland. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Political Scientist
The salary for Political Scientists ranges between about $59,300 and $164,200 a year.
Political Scientists who work in Virginia, Maryland, or New York, make the highest salaries.
How much do Political Scientists make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $74,060 |
| District of Columbia | $120,610 |
| Florida | $95,120 |
| Illinois | $80,520 |
| Maine | $72,850 |
| Maryland | $123,150 |
| Massachusetts | $88,120 |
| Michigan | $95,570 |
| New York | $122,440 |
| Pennsylvania | $102,110 |
| Texas | $87,610 |
| Virginia | $128,590 |
| Washington | $84,480 |
What Tools do Political Scientists Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Political Scientists:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Access
- Email software
- SAP
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft SharePoint
- SAS
- Microsoft Publisher
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- R
- StataCorp Stata
- WinBUGS
- Bare Bones Software BBEdit
Becoming a Political Scientist
What kind of Political Scientist requirements are there?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Political Scientist?
Where Political Scientists Are Employed
Below are examples of industries where Political Scientists work:
Related Careers
Those interested in being a Political Scientist may also be interested in:
Those who work as a Political Scientist sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: UKWiki at English Wikipedia via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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