What is a Political Scientist?
Career 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.
Political Scientist Responsibilities
- 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.
- Maintain current knowledge of government policy decisions.
- Collect, analyze, and interpret data such as election results and public opinion surveys, reporting on findings, recommendations, and conclusions.
- Write drafts of legislative proposals, and prepare speeches, correspondence, and policy papers for governmental use.
- Provide media commentary or criticism related to public policy and political issues and events.
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Political Scientist Required Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Political Scientists say are important on the job.
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.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Strategist
- International Affairs Vice President
- Policy Analyst
- Legislative Analyst
- Deputy Director
Job Opportunities for Political Scientists
In the United States, there were 7,300 jobs for Political Scientist in 2016. 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. There will be an estimated 700 positions for Political Scientist per 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.
Do Political Scientists Make A Lot Of Money?
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 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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Political Scientists
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
How to Become a Political Scientist
Are there Political Scientists education requirements?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Political Scientists Are Employed
Below are examples of industries where Political Scientists work:
Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Political Scientist might also be interested in the following careers:
Career changers with experience as a Political Scientist sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: UKWiki at English Wikipedia via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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