What Do Political Scientist Do?
Political Scientist Example 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.
A Day in the Life of a Political Scientist
- Provide media commentary or criticism related to public policy and political issues and events.
- Collect, analyze, and interpret data such as election results and public opinion surveys, reporting on findings, recommendations, and conclusions.
- Teach political science.
- Write drafts of legislative proposals, and prepare speeches, correspondence, and policy papers for governmental use.
- Consult with and advise government officials, civic bodies, research agencies, the media, political parties, and others concerned with political issues.
- Interpret and analyze policies, public issues, legislation, or the operations of governments, businesses, and organizations.
Political Scientist Skills
Political Scientists state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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
- Political Consultant
- Political Aide
- Policy Officer
- Government Affairs Specialist
- Political Research Scientist
Is There Job Demand for Political Scientists?
There were about 7,300 jobs for Political Scientist in 2016 (in the United States). 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. The BLS estimates 700 yearly job openings in this field.
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.
Salary for a Political Scientist
Political Scientists make between $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 each U.S. state?
| 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?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Political Scientists may use on a daily basis:
- 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
How do I Become a Political Scientist?
Are there Political Scientists education requirements?
What work experience do I need to become a Political Scientist?
Political Scientists Sector
The table below shows the approximate number of Political Scientists employed by various industries.
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those thinking about becoming a Political Scientist might also be interested in the following careers:
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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