political science phd job prospects

What Can You Do with a PhD in Political Science? [2024 Guide]

If you’re fascinated by political systems and want to study their influence in-depth, you may find yourself asking, “What can you do with a PhD in Political Science?”

This doctoral program may present opportunities to learn about global politics, explore conflicts of power, and practice policy analysis. You will likely conduct original research in the field and prepare a dissertation with your findings.

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This terminal degree may help propel you toward the top of the political science field and prepare you for a career in an educational, government, or private institution, where you can help shape others’ understandings of politics and power.

What Can You Do with a PhD in Political Science?

The field of political science is filled with opportunities to gather data, conduct research, analyze policies, study power structures, and explore ideas.

Once you’ve earned a PhD, you may apply that knowledge and skillset with jobs both inside and outside of academia. Academic positions are some of the most popular PhD political science jobs.

You may teach classes on international relations or international affairs. As a professor, you might also conduct research. The average annual salary for postsecondary political science teachers is $85,760, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Working in the field as a political scientist is another career track to consider.

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that 48% of political scientists are employed by the federal government. Many political science professionals work as policy analysts. Your knowledge of power systems could also be beneficial in a public relations role. You might be particularly well-suited to work as a press secretary for a political candidate.

A doctorate in political science could also inform your work as a journalist, a broadcast news analyst, a government official, a survey researcher, or a market research analyst. With additional training, you may also become a lawyer.

5 Things You Can Do with a PhD in Political Science

Having a Ph.D. in Political Science can help you enter into an academic career or apply for advanced positions in non-academic settings.

With this traditional or online political science degree , you might be employed by an academic institution, a government organization, a think tank, or a private business.

1. Broadcast News Analyst

Journalists and news analysts often cover issues related to politics and power. With your expert knowledge of political science, your voice might be trusted as a source of information and analysis regarding current events.

Reporters and other news professionals work for television networks, radio stations, newspapers, magazines, websites, and other forms of media. You might work for one particular outlet or share your insight with a variety of news sources.

2. Political Scientist

Anyone who studies political systems and power structures can be thought of as a political scientist. You may be especially successful in this role if you focus your studies on one particular aspect of political science, such as pursuing a PhD in International Relations.

As a political scientists, you may work for the federal government, labor unions, research institutions, and grantmaking agencies. You may also act as a policy analyst, evaluating the influence of laws and regulations.

3. Political Science Postsecondary Teacher

If you want to become a full-time college faculty member and work toward a tenure-track position, having an online PhD in Political Science may be a valuable asset. As a professor, you might teach undergraduate or graduate students.

Many faculty members conduct research in addition to their teaching responsibilities. Your university might fund your research, allow you to have students assist with your projects, and encourage you to seek publication.

4. Public Relations Specialist

Individuals and organizations depend on public relations specialists to represent them to the public, convey messages on their behalf, and project a sense of calm and control during crisis situations.

Your knowledge of political science may help you understand the dynamics at play in PR settings. You might be especially successful as a press secretary. This job title is used for public relations specialists who represent political figures.

5. Survey Researcher

If you’re interested in investigating the effects of politics and policies, you may consider a career as a survey researcher.

You may gather data from survey participants, analyze the findings, and present your information to others who may use it to shape legislation, organizational policies, or lobbying platforms.

As a survey researcher, you could work for a research or polling organization. There are also survey jobs within educational and government institutions.

Political Science Careers & Salaries

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , political scientists earn an average annual salary of $125,350, and jobs in this field are projected to increase at a 6% rate for the next decade. You may also pursue the following careers or positions with a doctorate in political science.

While academic positions are sometimes thought of as the most highly sought PhD political science jobs, this extensive list demonstrates that there is a wide range of careers you could pursue with this degree.

How Much Money Can You Make with a PhD in Political Science?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most political scientists earn between $62,840 and $170,800 per year. Factors such as your professional experience and the state in which you work can influence your PhD political science salary.

This is a broad field, so your salary may largely depend on what type of employer you have. Political scientists who work in the professional, scientific, and technical services sector earn an average of $136,640 per year. Federal government political scientists earn an average of $133,460.

The average salary for political scientists who work for educational, religious, and grantmaking organizations is around $87,910.

What Is a PhD in Political Science Good For?

Political science doctoral programs can help provide the training that you need for a career at a university. You may teach political science at the college level or work in a university-affiliated research lab.

Your degree may also qualify you to work as a policy analyst or a political scientist. As a political scientist, you may find work in government agencies, political groups, and private organizations.

You may also become a public relations professional, a market research analyst, or a survey researcher. A political science PhD could also enhance your career as a business executive, a lawyer, a legislator, or a journalist.

How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD in Political Science?

Your time in a doctoral program will be broken into several stages. A doctorate can typically be completed in 3 to 5 years. The length of each program may vary depending on your school’s structure and your personal schedule.

The coursework and examination portion of your studies may take 2 to 3 years. After that will come the dissertation portion. You may spend at least 1 full year conducting research and 1 or more years completing your project.

Some universities expect PhD political sciences students to be finished within a specific timeframe, but you may be able to request an extension.

Can You Get a PhD in Political Science?

Universities do offer Ph.D. programs in political science. Holding this degree is often a requirement for a job as a survey researcher, a political scientist, or a postsecondary political science educator.

You may have the option to select one or more areas of specialization, such as comparative politics or conflict management. During your studies, you may take courses on American politics, political analysis, and transnational politics.

You will likely complete a dissertation or another doctoral capstone project. If this field of study interests you, you may consider looking for a school that offers an online PhD in Political Science program.

Is a PhD in Political Science Worth It?

Yes, a PhD in Political Science is worth it for many students. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in the life, physical, and social science field are set to grow at 5% over the next ten years, faster than the average overall growth.

Common political science careers in this field include postsecondary teacher, political scientist, public relations specialist, broadcast news analyst, and survey researcher.

Having a political science PhD may qualify you for a variety of non-academic jobs, but it may also lead to a career as a professor. If your goal is to secure a tenure-track position, then you’ll certainly need a PhD.

Getting Your PhD in Political Science Online

Politics is a fascinating topic that touches nearly every area of life. A political science PhD program may advance your knowledge about political systems and help you explore the ways that legislation and current events affect people and structures.

A doctorate in this field may help you further your political science, public relations, research, or journalism career within academia, the federal government, or a private organization.

You may want to consider exploring the best schools for political science for a flexible yet thorough approach to doctoral studies. Through an accredited online university, you may earn a respected political science doctorate that can help you take your career to the next level.

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Academic Careers for Political Science PhDs

Career events at the annual meeting.

The APSA Career Center is a centralized career hub at the Annual Meeting featuring the following events.

• APSA Interview Service: APSA provides space and facilities for employers to interview job candidates for one or more days onsite at the APSA Annual Meeting. Note that not all interviewing departments use this service.
• Career Open House: The APSA Career Open House provides a space for job seekers to engage in informal conversations with employers from a range of institutions and to converse with career experts at our Ask-Me-Anything tables focused on a variety of themes.

APSA hosts a variety of career-related panels annually at the Annual Meeting. Registered attendees for the 2020 Virtual APSA Annual Meeting have access to the recordings from the following events:

• Applying for a Job at a Teaching-Oriented Institution
• Get the Grant: Finding Funding, Writing Proposals, and Advancing Your Career at Every Career Stage
• Get the Job: Tips for the Academic Job Market
• Navigating Political Science: Professional Advancement & Success in the Discipline (ed. Kent Worcester, 2018)
• The Professor is In: The Essential Guide to Turning Your PhD into a Job (Karen Kelsky, 2015)
• Work Your Career: Get What You Want from Your Social Sciences or Humanities PhD (Loleen Berdahl and Jonathan Malloy, 2018).
• A list of additional articles and publications can be found here.
• HigherEdJobs
• ISA Job Board
• MPSA Job Board
• Best Practices for Interviewing: APSA put together a list of resources to assist job candidates as they prepare for academic interviews.
• Job Candidate Questions: The JCQ is a series of questions APSA has compiled to help job candidates ask the right things and gather valuable information for career decisions.

Jobs for Political Science Majors Explained

Communications associate, human resources specialist, legislative assistant, market research analyst, policy analyst, political scientist, project manager, public relations specialist, sales representative, social and community services manager, social media specialist, how to apply to jobs for political science majors, show your skills, connect the dots, focus on the numbers, talk to people, 17 jobs for political science majors (that don’t require you to run for office).

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Table of Contents

Not everyone who studies political science goes into politics (although many do!). Jobs for political science majors range from, yes, government positions, law, and research, to marketing, sales, and even project management . 

“Of course, many political science graduates work as political staffers, work on campaigns, and some run for office after graduation,” says Donna Patterson, Ph.D., professor and chair in the Department of History, Political Science, and Philosophy at Delaware State University. “A significant number of our graduates also go directly to law school and subsequently use their JDs to work as lawyers, in politics, and at corporations.”

Yet Patterson also recognizes that many students go beyond politics, using their transferable skills like critical thinking and analysis in other industries. 

“Many of our majors graduate with advanced public speaking skills gained through group work, classroom projects, internships , and university leadership positions. These skills are great for political science majors as well as other majors. In fact, in addition to law and politics, our majors have worked at NGOs, museums, and in other capacities.”

Jobs for political science majors require skills like research, communication , analysis, and writing . Here are the top jobs explained.

Salary: $60,200 Job outlook: 8%

A communications associate helps with a company or organization’s communication efforts, from email newsletters and social media posts to press releases and promotional materials. They aim to ensure the right information is shared with the right audience using the right communication channel. Communications associates can work in the corporate or nonprofit sectors, finance or health care , education or government — the options are endless.

A communications associate position is among the top jobs for political science majors because it requires excellent written and verbal communication skills , especially writing skills . If you’re specifically interested in working in something related to politics, you can become a communications associate for a government office, political consulting firm, policy institute, or advocacy group.

Salary: $104,660 Job outlook: 10% (much faster than average)

A consultant is someone who advises organizations on how to be more efficient. First, they examine the company’s structure, goals, progress, and performance; then, they suggest how to improve. 

Consultants can work in a variety of industries — including politics! — depending on the type of organizations they consult for and what kind of solutions they provide. There are also different types of consultants. For example, an operations consultant focuses on the company’s organization, processes, and structure, while a strategy consultant focuses on general high-level business decisions.

Strategy Consulting

Learn how to use critical thinking and brainstorming skills like a BCG consultant to help a hypothetical luxury clothing company increase its revenue.

Avg. Time: 1-2 hours

Skills you’ll build: Creativity, critical thinking, brainstorming

Salary: $128,180 Job outlook: 6% (faster than average)

If you’re interested in the financial side of politics — the cost of health care or employment trends — becoming an economist is a great way to apply your analytical skills in an engaging career path. Economists conduct financial research to explain economic patterns and trends. They try to understand how societies use resources like money, labor, and natural materials, how consumers make choices, and how that affects things like prices and employment. In addition to their research, economists will advise businesses, governments, and individuals on economic issues and policies.

Being an economist is a top job for political science majors because you can work for the government and analyze data on things like employment, prices, productivity, and wages. Using this information, you’d then help evaluate economic policies and provide insights to policymakers.

Salary: $72,900 Job outlook: 3% (as fast as average)

Historians research, study, and analyze historical documents, from newspapers and photographs to letters and interviews. Historians can conduct this research for various employers, including government, business, nonprofit, or historical organizations. Their goal is to build knowledge of history by understanding a specific person, issue, time period, event, or organization. They may present findings in various ways, from museum exhibits and education programs to books and websites.

Salary: $73,080 Job outlook: 6% (faster than average)

Human resources professionals are responsible for the management and overall well-being of a company’s employees. They oversee an employee’s entire lifecycle at a company, from helping recruit and interview candidates to managing things like payroll and engagement and conducting exit interviews.

While not a job related to government politics, human resources specialists are the gatekeepers of employee politics. They need impeccable communication and interpersonal skills to communicate with employees at all levels. 

Human Resources

Practice two crucial HR tasks: how to give employees feedback and how to develop a compensation framework. 

Avg. Time: 3-4 hours

Skills you’ll build: Communication, process mapping, data visualization, pay metrics

Salary: $86,290 Job outlook: -3% (slower than average)  

Journalists write articles to share information with people. Some journalists might write about what’s going on in politics, covering key races and new laws; others might cover local news of a specific community or focus on a niche like health and wellness or theater. Journalists aim to share factual, accurate accounts of what’s happening worldwide, often calling on experts or people familiar with the topic to share insights.

Political science majors can make great journalists because of their research, communication, and writing skills. If you’ve written for a school newspaper, done independent research, or written about the news for a class, gathering these samples into an online portfolio can be a great way to stand out in your journalism applications.

Salary: $163,770 Job outlook: 8% (faster than average)

Lawyers advise people, companies, and organizations on legal issues. A lawyer’s job is to be there for their client at every step, whether researching their case to provide context on the law or representing them in a criminal or civil proceeding. Lawyers can work across industries and for various clients, including state governments, corporations, or individuals.

Becoming a lawyer is common for political science majors as the work requires extensive research, writing, and communication skills. To become a lawyer, you’ll need more education and certifications than a political science degree. You’ll need to attend law school, get a law degree, and pass the American Bar Association’s bar exam in the state you’d like to practice law. 

Introduction to Law

Work with a legal team on everyday tasks and challenges, including advising a borrower on a lending transaction, drafting a cease-and-desist letter, and training your peers.

Skills you’ll build: Legal research, attention to detail, efficiency, communication, presentation

Salary: $45,614 Job outlook: -10%

A legislative assistant supports a lawmaker, like a senator, with tasks in the legislative process. These tasks include researching proposed legislation, organizing meetings, drafting documents, briefing the lawmaker, and communicating with constituents. A legislative assistant’s goal is to help the lawmaker they work for make informed decisions on legislation that reflects their values and the people they serve. 

Political science majors who become legislative assistants may find they’re using research skills similar to those they learned in school and getting to apply them directly to the law-making process.

Salary: $78,880 Job outlook: 13% (much faster than average)

A market research analyst helps companies make decisions using marketing and sales data. The analyst examines this data to understand consumer behavior and help inform the company’s marketing strategy. A market research analyst might give insights into what kinds of products people are buying, the specific audience that’s buying certain products, and how much they’re buying them for. These insights can help the company understand who to market to and how to price their products.

While not directly related to politics, this role is one of the top jobs for political science majors because it requires skills like analysis, research, communication, and critical thinking .

Salary: $66,359 Job outlook: 11% (much faster than average)

A policy analyst examines government policies to understand their efficacy and how they might be improved. For example, a policy analyst might study an issue like education or health care, then look at data following specific policies to understand how previous policies have (or have yet to make) progress. Then, a policy analyst will provide recommendations to policymakers. 

“I may be biased being based in DC, but there’s an abundance of policy work in virtually any field — from health to economics to foreign affairs,” says Shannon Powers, former political science major and chief strategy officer and senior vice president at kglobal. “Bonus — you can do this for the government, a think tank, or even the private sector through consulting.”  

Salary: $126,140 Job outlook: 7% (faster than average)

Political scientists research political systems, specifically governments and their development and operations. Their goal is to understand the effect of different government systems on the people they serve. Sometimes, political scientists will offer insights on improving a political system.

This job’s focus is similar to what you might study as a political science major, with an added level of research. Often, political scientists need a master’s degree in political science, public administration, or a related field. 

Salary: $101,610 Job outlook: 6% (faster than average)

Getting work done and achieving goals requires organization, the right processes, and focus. Project managers oversee a project from start to finish, ensuring everyone has the correct information and resources and completes their work on time. 

While this job isn’t directly related to the topics you might be studying with a political science degree, you’ll apply the soft skills you learn while getting your degree. Project managers can work in virtually any industry and need excellent communication, time management , and people management skills.

“Many agencies and firms require a strong hand to guide work, keep people on task, and ensure objectives are being met,” Powers says. “Political science undergrads should have the right experience just by completing the many requisites of their degree.”

Salary: $78,540 Job outlook: 6% (faster than average)

Public relations specialists focus on building and maintaining a positive reputation for a company, brand, or individual. These professionals might share information about their clients with the press, manage their social media profiles, schedule media events for their clients, or respond to any media crises. 

Public relations is an excellent field for political science majors because it requires interpersonal skills , specifically written and verbal communication, public speaking, and problem-solving skills . 

Salary: $109,950 Job outlook: 1% (little or no change)

Sales representatives sell products and services from their company to other companies. This job requires persuasive communication skills to pitch to companies and convince them to buy. Sometimes, sales representatives are also involved in a company’s sales strategy, including finding and reaching out to prospects and discussing products and pricing.

While this role isn’t as aligned with politics as other top jobs for political science majors, it calls on key persuasive communication, public speaking, and analysis skills you learn in the major.

Review customer feedback to identify what products might be a good fit for them, then create a sales presentation pitching those products.

Avg. Time: 5-6 hours

Skills you’ll build: Customer requirement analysis, effective communication, sales motion

Salary: $79,310 Job outlook: 9% (much faster than average)

If you studied political science to make a difference in people’s lives, working as a social and community services manager can help you accomplish that career goal. These professionals oversee programs and organizations that support the public. For example, a social and community services manager might work for a program that helps end substance abuse or provides after-school care. Or, they may work for an organization that helps a specific group of people, such as veterans or people experiencing homelessness.

Community Development

Get feedback from younger adults in a community on what challenges they're going through, then plan an event to help address issues they've voiced.

Avg. Time: 2-3 hours

Skills you’ll build: Planning, budgeting, facilitation

Salary: $64,000 Job outlook: 10%

Top jobs for political science majors include those that require excellent communication skills — which students can apply in their careers by specializing in social media. Social media specialists create, manage, and schedule content for a brand, company, or person. They might create content for a specific platform, like Instagram or TikTok , or execute a company’s overall strategy on multiple platforms. 

Salary: $66,450 Job outlook: 1% (little or no change)

If you’re a political science major getting a liberal arts degree , chances are people have asked you if you will become a history teacher. While there are many lesser-known jobs for political science majors, that doesn’t mean becoming a teacher isn’t a good fit.

Teachers educate students by planning and giving lessons, assessing students’ learning, and providing support when needed. Teachers need to be knowledgeable about the subject they’re teaching, empathetic and patient, and leaders in the classroom. Political science majors may be interested in teaching various subjects, including history, government, and politics.

When applying to jobs for political science majors, emphasize the skills you learned in the major and how they connect to the specific role you’re applying for.

Political science majors learn many skills throughout their degree, including the top soft and hard skills employers look for. According to The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs 2023 report , over the next five years, employers are looking for candidates who possess these skills:

• Analytical thinking
• Creative thinking
• Resilience, agility, and flexibility
• Motivation and self-awareness
• Curiosity and lifelong learning
• Technological literacy
• Dependability and attention to detail 
• Empathy and active listening
• Leadership and social influence
• Quality control

Political science majors often get these skills from their degrees, even if they don’t always notice it! For example, if you conducted historical research for a class, you likely used analytical thinking and technological literacy. If you wrote an essay about political theory, you probably practiced attention to detail and creative thinking. If you pursued any independent projects related to your coursework, you were curious and showed you’re a lifelong learner.

“Studying questions like the shortcomings of different political philosophies or how different governance structures shaped unforeseen outcomes teaches you how to do a close read of a text, analyze evidence, isolate variables, make deductions about causation, and more,” Powers says. “These skills all come into regular play for knowledge workers.”

If you choose to apply for a job that isn’t directly related to political science, it’s crucial to learn how to tell your story to emphasize how your skills and experiences connect to the job. Just because it isn’t obvious doesn’t mean you’re not qualified — you just need to prove it!

“Tell a story about yourself — and not just in your interview ,” Powers says. “Make sure your resume and cover letter do it, too. Can someone talk to you for just a few minutes or review your materials quickly and be able to understand what you’re all about? How has your experience and knowledge led you here, and where do you hope to go? That’s guaranteed to make you more compelling than just your GPA or summer internship.”

Resume Masterclass

Learn how to tell your story on your resume, from illustrating your impact to choosing what skills to include.

Skills you’ll build: Transferable skills, professional brand, summary, identifying job titles

Like any good job application, focus on your impact by quantifying it. 

“It’s not just that you were vice president of the club, but that you helped put on seven different events with 84 attendees,” Marc Cenedella, founder of Leet Resumes and Ladders, says. “You weren’t just the head of membership but helped recruit 26 new numbers. You weren’t just responsible for the sticker sale drive, but that you sold $134 worth of stickers.”

Yes, networking is crucial — especially in jobs in the political industry. Yet if you’re still wondering, “ What career is right for me? ” talking to people in different fields, especially those with the same degree, can help you learn more about various roles.

“Meet people doing interesting work in media, business, government, law, nonprofit, NGO, education, science, the arts, etc,” says Kimberly Rolfe, co-director of the career and community engagement center at Whitman College. “Gather a variety of perspectives on what is taking place in our world and with the issues you’re most interested in so you can open up all of the potential ways that your political science degree can move you into the world to work on important issues.”

Explore top jobs for political science majors (and more!) with Forage job simulations .

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Science & Salaries: 8 Highest Paying Political Science Jobs

• September 26, 2023

It is never too soon nor too late to think about what you value, what you are good at, the things that interest you, and situations where you are most productive—in general, and in the context of possible career opportunities. If the answer to any of those questions is related to understanding the exercise of power in various settings, you might want to consider pursuing a political science degree . Political science is a diverse and dynamic discipline with many jobs for political science majors , such as the option to become a professor, scholar, researcher, diplomat , business executive, public servant, journalist, and many others.

You may begin to plan for suitable career options by analyzing yourself and the characteristics of different careers, including the salaries that come with those positions. So read on and find out what political science is, its job outlook, and the highest paying political science jobs you could qualify for if you decide to go down this road.

What Is Political Science?

Political science is a field that focuses on the study of governments, public policies and processes, systems, and political behavior. It is a social science that uses humanistic and scientific skills to examine countries and regions. As an academic discipline, political science was established in the mid-nineteenth century in the United States and across Europe, primarily shaped by the desire to uncover conditions for enduring peace.

Political science degrees focus on national and international issues, such as social justice, climate change, ecological collapse, and the more current subject of COVID-19. Furthermore, they explore how these matters relate to the current political systems and to those of the past and future. Pursuing a degree in this discipline can help open many doors in business, government, and public service settings.

Political Science Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), political science is expected to have a positive job outlook in the next decade. Employment in this field is forecasted to grow about 9% between 2020 and 2030, and each year, there are projected to be around 700 job openings for political scientists.

Highest Paying Jobs in Political Science

So, what jobs can you get with a political science degree ? Well, the opportunities are countless. By the time you complete your degree, you should have a good understanding of political issues and theories and have developed some crucial and transferable skills that can open careers in various fields. Below we have gathered some of the highest paying political science degree jobs you might want to keep in mind while choosing your degree, major, and minor.

Lawyers are professionals who have completed law school, passed a bar exam, and are licensed by the state to help solve legal problems. Obtaining a political science degree can help prepare you for a career as a lawyer since you will learn about government policies, laws, and how they function within the country.

The average salary for lawyers in the United States is $125,675 per year. Depending on the organization you work for and the position you have, the lowest reported salary is $59,436 per year, whereas the highest reaches $250,338 per year.

2. Postsecondary Political Science Teachers

Upon graduating in political science, you will be qualified to teach political science, social studies, government studies, and world history in postsecondary schools. Depending on the region, especially if you pursue a job in public school systems, you might be required to complete a teaching certification in addition to your degree.

The average salary for political science teachers in the United States is $58,806 per year. Depending on the school you work for, the lowest reported salary is $39,254 per year, whereas the highest reaches $77,096 per year.

3. Political scientists

Naturally, after graduating in political science, you will be qualified as a political scientist . This position includes research, analysis, and forecasting by looking back at history and modern trends to better understand the current policies and laws that affect the government, business, and people in general.

The average salary for political scientists in the United States is $80,937 per year. Depending on the company you work for, the lowest reported salary is $53,239 per year, whereas the highest reaches $153,384 per year.

4. Judges and hearing officers

In the United States, the legal system and American political organizations are tightly intertwined. That is why after finishing political science studies and closely studying law, you can be qualified for jobs positions of judges and hearing officers. You would be responsible for overseeing the legal process in courts, leading pretrial hearings, resolving administrative conflicts, and issuing legal decisions, among other things.

The average salary for judges in the United States is $113,681 per year. There are significant fluctuations regarding compensation, with the lowest reported salary being $19,507 per year, whereas the highest reaches $201,613 per year.

On the other hand, the average salary for hearing officers in the United States is $107,818 per year. The lowest reported salary is $29,854 per year, whereas the highest reaches $75,451 per year.

5. Urban and regional planners

Your political science degree will help you land positions as urban and regional planner, responsible for examining site plans that developers submit and then developing different strategies and programs to help create and accommodate communities in various areas. They apply the appropriate principles of planning, analysis, and architecture to the development of spaces.

The average salary for urban and regional planners in the United States is $119,284 per year. The lowest reported salary is $48,098 per year, whereas the highest reaches $261,000 per year.

6. Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators

Your political science studies will help develop your communication, analytical, and negotiation skills, all crucial to the jobs of arbitrators , mediators, and conciliators. In these positions, you would be responsible for helping facilitate negotiation and dialogue between parties, helping resolve the conflicts they have, and reaching a compromise.

The average salary for arbitrators in the United States is $112,970 per year. The lowest reported salary is $26,102 per year, whereas the highest reaches $221,000 per year.

The average salary for mediators in the United States is $75,990 per year. The lowest reported salary is $57,970 per year, whereas the highest reaches $173,225 per year.

The average salary for conciliators in the United States is $87,626 per year. The lowest reported salary is $33,240 per year, whereas the highest reaches $$155,000 per year.

7. Paralegals and legal assistants

Paralegals and legal assistants deal with various tasks to support lawyers, from researching laws and cases to maintaining and organizing files, drafting documents, and gathering evidence to be used in court. They help lawyers prepare for trial by formulating reports, explaining evidence, and filing appeals with the opposing counsel. In general, paralegals are more involved with the technicalities of the law, whereas legal assistants engage with broader tasks.

The average salary for paralegals in the United States is $52,150 per year. The lowest reported salary is $34,841 per year, whereas the highest reaches $88,000 per year.

The average salary for legal assistants in the United States is $48,612 per year. The lowest reported salary is $30,317 per year, whereas the highest reaches $65,470 per year.

8. Public relations manager

Public relations managers use press releases, sponsor corporate events, and interviews to explain their client’s opinions to the public. They also monitor current social, economic, and political trends that might affect their customer and then, based on those trends, recommend ways to improve the client’s image.

The average salary for public relations managers in the United States is $75,409 per year. The lowest reported salary is $47,089 per year, whereas the highest reaches $127,363 per year.

Hopefully, this article encourages you to pursue political science as a field of study and helps you find a specific position that fulfills your aspirations and satisfies your financial needs. Law is said to be reason, and then reason the source of knowledge. So, if you genuinely want to understand our society, culture, political institutions, and human relations, political science will give you the key to do so.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): 

What job opportunities are available for political science graduates.

Political science graduates can pursue a wide range of career paths. Common job opportunities include roles in government, such as working as a policy analyst, political consultant, or public affairs specialist. They can also enter fields like law, academia, international relations, non-profit organizations, and journalism.

Do I need a graduate degree in political science to find good job prospects?

While a bachelor’s degree in political science can open up entry-level positions in various fields, some advanced roles may require a master’s or even a doctoral degree in political science. The level of education needed often depends on your career goals and the specific job you’re interested in.

What skills are essential for a successful career in political science?

Political science professionals should possess strong analytical and research skills and the ability to evaluate information and data critically. Effective written and verbal communication skills are crucial for roles that involve public speaking, policy writing, or diplomacy. Additionally, a good understanding of government structures and political processes is essential.

How competitive is the job market for political science graduates?

The competitiveness of the job market for political science graduates can vary depending on factors such as location, specialization, and the current political climate. Generally, it can be competitive, but networking, gaining relevant experience through internships, and staying up-to-date with current events and trends can improve job prospects.

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What Can You Do With A Political Science Degree?

Updated: Aug 21, 2023, 10:23am

Political science degrees give students insight into how people and governments interact. Coursework explores how these interactions shape societal views. Graduates with political science degrees can qualify for a diverse array of careers with nonprofit organizations, public sector organizations and private businesses.

In addition to knowledge about politics and governance, political science programs help build learners’ communication, analytical, problem-solving and research skills—essential soft skills for jobs in electoral politics, community organizing, volunteer management and other fields.

This guide outlines popular political science degree careers, highlighting several professional organizations that can help political science graduates achieve their professional goals.

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What Is Political Science?

Political science is the theory and practice of politics in local, state, national and international governments. The discipline examines governments and political structures using scientific methods as well as domestic and international perspectives.

Political science explores political ideologies, policies, behaviors, institutions and groups of people to understand how politics impact our citizens and communities.

Careers in Political Science

The jobs below are several roles graduates can qualify for with their political science degrees. We sourced salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Payscale .

Political Scientist

Median Annual Salary: $128,020 Minimum Required Education: Master’s degree Job Overview: Political scientists study political concepts, such as political system development, political ideas and policies and foreign and domestic governments. They analyze data like public opinion and societal trends to examine how laws and policies impact governments and citizens. Political scientists may focus their work in specialized areas, such as international relations, national politics, political theory or comparative politics.

Survey Researcher

Median Annual Salary: $60,410 Minimum Required Education: Master’s degree; bachelor’s degrees sometimes acceptable for entry-level jobs Job Overview: Survey researchers develop and test surveys, coordinate data collection and analyze information from survey research. Because these professionals can work in diverse fields like government, education or healthcare, survey topics can include politics and culture, economics, health or market research analysis. Survey researchers also use specialized software and statistical techniques to analyze data.

Median Annual Salary: $55,960 Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree Job Overview: Journalists investigate current events and report their findings to the public through stories, articles, website content and multimedia. These professionals need strong analytical, research, writing, editing and interviewing skills. Some journalists work in television or broadcast news, while others work for online or print publications. They can also freelance for multiple publications or news organizations.

Public Relations Manager

Median Annual Salary: $129,430 Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree; master’s degree sometimes required Job Overview: Public relations managers oversee the societal perception of their clients, which can include businesses, organizations and individuals. These professionals manage everything from branding and corporate image to advertising campaigns and media relations. Their work typically involves writing press releases, developing plans for promotional activities, serving as a spokesperson to the media and monitoring current events to stay atop new trends.

Legislative Assistant

Average Annual Salary: Approximately $43,600 Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree Job Overview: Legislative assistants provide administrative support and assistance to legislators throughout the lawmaking process. They write drafts of documents and reports, manage files, schedule appointments, make travel arrangements, prepare presentations and ensure documents meet appropriate standards.

Political Science Fields of Study Specializations

Political science programs may offer specializations or concentrations. These sets of coursework let students specialize their knowledge in particular subfields, which can help them qualify for specific careers. Concentrations vary by school and degree level.

Below we explore four common specializations for political science degrees.

American Politics

This field of study explores issues like public policy concepts, political processes and political behavior within the American political system. Learners use tools like statistical analysis, surveys, mathematical modeling and public opinion research to explore the relationship between people and politics in the U.S.

Comparative Politics

Comparative politics contrasts political issues on a global scale, comparing approaches to governance and politics in different countries and cultures. Classes in this concentration teach students to apply political theory as they explore government institutions, leadership, foreign and domestic public policy, electoral behaviors and public opinion through a comparative lens.

International Relations

The international relations subfield explores the causes and consequences of interactions and relationships among national governments. Courses in this concentration typically explore topics such as global governance, international economies, national security, political violence and human rights.

Political Theory

Political theory highlights important domestic and international political issues, such as liberty, justice, equality, democracy, human rights and globalization. Coursework asks learners to study concepts like modern and contemporary political theory, American political thought, identity politics and feminist theory.

Professional Organizations for Political Science

Professional organizations offer various benefits to their members, including resources like publications, networking opportunities, conferences and career guidance. These organizations may serve members on national, regional or international levels. The list below covers several professional organizations for political science students and graduates.

American Political Science Association (APSA)

APSA supports more than 11,000 members from over 100 countries. This association promotes research and communication among its members to increase career and academic opportunities. Membership is available for individuals, academic departments and other institutions.

Member benefits include access to research findings, published materials, career resources and professional development opportunities.

International Political Science Association (IPSA AISP)

IPSA supports political science scholars and professionals, encouraging collaboration, promoting academic freedom and building scholarly networks. Membership is open to individuals, educational institutions and national and regional associations.

Member benefits include domestic and global networking events, educational opportunities, research committees, newsletters and academic services.

Northeastern Political Science Association (NPSA)

The NPSA promotes the study of the political science discipline and supports professionals in the field. This regional U.S. group’s members can access career information, grants, awards and an annual conference where participants can share scholarly research.

Western Political Science Association (WPSA)

The WPSA supports political science professionals and scholars in the western U.S. and western Canada. The group promotes the study of politics and government. Member benefits include virtual meetings, publications, networking opportunities and awards. The WPSA also hosts an annual conference where participants can share scholarly research.

Midwest Political Science Association (MPSA)

The MPSA works to advance the teaching and professional study of political science. Members of this regional group can access job boards, funding opportunities, a research paper repository, mentoring programs, awards, scholarships, journal subscriptions, networking opportunities and an annual conference.

Southern Political Science Association (SPSA)

The SPSA aims to improve political science education and promote research of theoretical and practical issues related to political science in the southern U.S. Members can access professional journals, networking opportunities, newsletters, awards and an annual conference.

International Association for Political Science Students (IAPSS)

The IAPSS supports undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate political science students and junior faculty members in more than 70 countries. As a student organization, it aims to promote political science education by providing members with opportunities for networking and contributing to the global impact of political science.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Political Science Degree Careers

Is political science a good major for making money.

Salaries for political science careers vary by position and experience level. According to Payscale, the average starting salary for political science bachelor’s degree graduates is $75,000, or above average.

Is political science a STEM major?

No, political science is not a STEM major. Though political science does use scientific and mathematical tools like statistical analysis, the field belongs to the social sciences category.

Is political science in high demand?

Job outlook varies by position, but the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for political scientists to increase by 6% from 2021 to 2031. This rate is as fast as the national average growth projection for all careers, signaling steady demand for these workers.

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While students complete their dissertations, the department works actively to help them find appropriate employment. The following Ph.D. students and recent graduates are seeking employment this academic year.

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The department's record in placing graduate students is very strong.  Following is a list of first and second placements of recent graduates.

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Britt Koehnlein

• bdkoehnl@iu.edu

Research Interests Peace processes, civil war, civil conflict, conflict resolution, service provision, global health initiatives, vaccinations, epidemics, international organizations, African politics

Matthew Lucky

• mclucky@iu.edu

Research Interests Artificial Intelligence, Democratic Theory, Science and Technology Studies, American Political Thought, Modern Political Thought, Classical Political Thought, and Contemporary Political Thought

Simon Sihang Luo

• luos@stanford.edu

Research and Teaching Interests Political theory; modern and contemporary political thought; comparative political theory; Chinese politics; Marxism; critical theory; political emotions; political memories.

Jerry Urtuzuastigui

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Research Interests Economic Sanctions, Civil War, Civil Conflict, Rebel Group Formation, State Capacity, Political Violence, Climate-Conflict Nexus, Human Rights, Refugees

Kuangyu Zhao

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Research Interests

History of political thought; comparative political theory;  modern democracy and nationalism; Alexis de Tocqueville; Liang Qichao

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Chris Blattman

Economics phds and the political science job market.

• August 12, 2011

I hear a familiar question from economics PhD students as every August rolls around: “Should/how do I go on the political science job market?”

In the interests of saving myself future emails and phone calls, and possibly creating a public good, I’ll venture the best answer a relative newbie like me can offer. Advice is below the fold.

You can also see my generic job market advice here .

Now, to the poli sci PhDs who are thinking, “Oy! Blattman! Why are you trying to make my life even harder!?”, let me offer a few assurances:

• The poli sci job market is actually pretty healthy ;
• Competition is a good thing for the discipline (at least from the perspective of those inside the discipline); and
• It’s harder to break into political science from economics than economists tend to think.

Food for thought (circa 2007): like many economics PhDs, I applied to roughly 150 academic jobs, including about 30 or so in political science. For my efforts, I got just one poli sci interview, and was lucky to get even that. Any one job market experience is too idiosyncratic to take seriously, but there are good reasons why my yield was low.

First, political science doesn’t really interview at their annual meetings (at least not the leading departments). They fly candidates out for a job talk straightaway, which means they meet fewer candidates, and can take fewer risks.

Second, economists are a risk. Economics PhDs typically have a preference for an economics job, and face uncertainty and costs in switching disciplines (not least of which: they can probably never go back to economics). Political science, for all its rewards and advantages, also offers lower income growth than economics, mainly because there’s less competition from biz schools and law schools and the private sector. And the poli sci market happens sooner, so much so that poli sci offers are usually arriving  before the econ market even starts.

So, the average political science department thinks you will probably turn down their offer. Those scarce, costly offers. If they have just one or two slots, will they wait until March for you to decide, when it’s too late to grab their second choice from political science? Probably not. And no matter how much you tell them you prefer politics, it’s all cheap talk, and they know it.

There’s a subgame perfect equilibrium in here somewhere, and whatever it is, it does not look good for the econ PhDs.

I’m going to get more hopeful and constructive in a moment, but first a few more reasons why the political science switch is not so straightforward:

Politics is a big intellectual tent, and they don’t always get along. Now, the methodological and ideological divide that separated the quantitative from the qualitative folks, and the rationalist people from everyone else, is closing. When you look at senior scholars in the top departments, most them do one well but dabble in the other. The younger generation of scholars are also mostly comfortable in both areas, and even if they specialize, there’s an openness and a collegiality that (I think) is new. People get along. But that doesn’t mean they easily agree on the best new hire.

A caricature of economists: they only respect papers, they tend to like small questions answered ridiculously precisely, and they use a narrow set of mathematical tools for the job or simply don’t bother with the question.

The caricature of political scientists: they write books that often would have been better off as papers, they think small and precise questions are useful but rather boring, and they’ll use whatever tools they need to tackle the big questions that matter.

If you are trained in the economics culture, the politics culture is a big shift. You can make it if you want it though.

Some advice:

1. Apply if your interest in politics is sincere. Otherwise you waste your time and their time, and make the path harder for the sincere people who will follow you.

2. Send costly signals. Cheap talk is ineffective. Build relationships with political scientists in and outside your university. Attend conferences. Submit a side paper to a political science field journal. Take politics grad classes for credit. Have your advisors write tailored letters, and contact their friends in political science departments.

3. Present your work early. Economics PhDs seldom present outside their department, especially early works and side papers. It’s quite the opposite in political science, where graduate students are treated more like junior colleagues than faceless rabble. Getting you and your work out there is an important rite and (besides) a costly signal. The economists are right to be cautious–a first impression is an important one. But since norms and expectations are different, presenting draft work in political science carries fewer downside risks.

4. Read books. If you don’t know the field, why bother trying to enter it?

5. Have a respected political scientist on your committee. Ideally this is not the one economist in your political science department. You want someone who can advise you, write letters, and help shape your research agenda. It’s also a costly signal.

6. Link your research to a big question in political science. Even if you are only answering a small bit of that big question. If you can’t find articles in IO or APSR or Political Analysis that are asking simiar questions, you may not be doing as much politics as you think. Economists publish a lot of good politics papers in QJE or JPE or AER , but these are narrower, less influential, and maybe less important than you think when it comes to the big questions in political science.

7. Be prepared for more fundamental questions. In my job talk at Yale (and subsequent seminar presentations), most questions were technical and not unlike what I encountered in economics. But I also get what seem like curve-ball questions: “What exactly is this a case of?” or “On what philosophical basis do these things actually measure well-being?” The questioners were essentially asking me to justify the very basis of my research agenda, the philosophy of my methodology, and other fundamentals I had never considered. At the time I was puzzled, but over time I’ve come to see them as sublime. (That would be another blog post).

8. Know your hats. Where will you fit in political science? Are you a comparativist? A methodologist? International relations or American politics? If you’re not sure what these hats look at feel like, and the people who wear them, get moving. You need to position yourself to market yourself.

9. Hope for lots of slots. A department with a single slot may not take the risk on you. One with three or four or five openings can now start to take risks (and log roll enough in the department that one side gets their quant jock in return for the other side’s political philosopher).

10. Don’t wait to the last minute. If the application window is Aug 15 to Oct 15, avoid applying on Oct 15. There’s a good chance that the department does rolling reviews and invitations, and may even have started job talks before the application window closes. Unlike economists, who wait until after the ASSA meetings to get rolling, nothing stops a politics department from making offers to someone before they even know you exist.

Other questions I didn’t address? Ideas or ire from fellow political scientists? And by all means, remember I am a relative neophyte, and have yet to sit on a hiring committee, and so perhaps should not be taken too seriously.

6 Responses

Prospective political scientists can follow these detailed 10 steps. Either that or they can simply apply for a PhD in their desired field, political science.

Economics Lecture Notes and Parsed Questions

http://www.economicscourses.net

150 is a large number. Do you think the situation is efficient?

Perhaps a practice job talk in front of a friendly political science department might be of use? If you can get several professors in that department to sit and help you in a job talk then you’ll know that you’ve done the work that Chris recommends regarding entering a new field.

Another benefit of such a talk is that the professors will be able to offer advice about the places where you might interview (an interview at Berkeley is quite different from one at Rochester, for example).

The “I’m smarter than you” attitude is a tough one. Humble econ Ph.Ds may encounter others who expect arrogance. Econ Ph.Ds may face some prejudice. This is tough and terrible. I don’t have good advice about handling it. How to project humility and openness with the right amount of confidence?

Let me finally emphasize that one reason why political science is so much fun is that it is very diverse and uncertain. Nobody really knows the right way or right answer, and so we are free to explore and try and debate. It is not just that we study so many different things, but that we use so many different methods — even so many different statistical methods. Political science methodology, like political science, draws from many other related disciplines. Compare the journal Political Analysis or the program at the summer Political Methodology summer meetings to their counterparts in economics (?Econometrica and the Summer Meetings of the Econometric Society?). I suspect you’ll see much more attention to measurement and research design and general engagement with the fields of psychometrics and statistics (including sampling but also recently growing interest in ‘causal inference’ and ‘statistical learning’, Bayesian approaches, computational linguistics, etc…). The central concerns of political scientists involved in statistical work are not identical to the central concerns in econometrics (for example, asymptotic properties comfort us less and we often worry about the meaning of “sample” more than most economists I’ve known ). That is, it is not trivial to say, “Well, I took the econometrics sequence in my economics department so I must be able to function as a methodologist in political science.”

One solution to this problem of quantitative methodological diversity is to take some of the methods courses in political science and/or in statistics, psychology, sociology, education, linguistics, etc… Since we are so diverse no one methodologist is expected to know it all. But I think we are expected to have more exposure to more approaches from more disciplines than are our counterparts in economics.

Finally, on diversity, I would also recommend one class in political philosophy (or social theory in a sociology department). Political scientists worry about foundational questions and most have had to read and engage with Smith, Marx, Hobbes, etc… at least once. These big old books provide a kind of shared language. Don’t put this stuff in your job talk, but having taken such a class will enable you to parse questions from the political philosophers in the audience and also from folks interested in the foundational stuff.

Re-reading this post, it sounds like I’m advising you to just go get a Ph.D. in political science, doesn’t it? :)

I agree with Andrew, especially on the last point and would note that in the vast majority of departments, fieldwork is considered a necessity for comparative jobs. We consider it a rite of passage and think that context matters, so understand that it will be a tough go if you haven’t done fieldwork and want a comparative job.

Another point that may or may not be fair – drop the attitude. Some economics graduate students get a superiority complex about their field and methods (this goes for some political science students, too). Keep in mind that most political science departments are more methodologically diverse and everyone expects to be respected for what they do. If you’re a job candidate who makes snide comments about qualitative methods, your candidacy probably isn’t going to fly.

Good advice. I might add a couple of points. One, consider what classes you would teach. Economists would almost always qualify to teach methods classes, but you would need to think of substantive topics that you might teach, particularly a large lecture course for political science students. I would check course catalogs here to pick out existing courses that you could teach. Two, political scientists like to see that a candidate knows a lot of details about something – Congress, Latin America, the UN – not just that they can design a research project. This often involves either fieldwork or creating original data which I think is less common in economics.

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