Political Scientists
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics · Science and Mathematics
Pay and outlook shown for
New workers start near $87,530; experienced workers reach $139,010. About 160 people do this job in Texas.
Job outlook
U.S. projection, 2024 to 2034.
- Employment change
- -3%
- Openings a year
- 500
- Employed in 2024
- 6,500
Typical entry education: Master's degree
Alamo Colleges programs that lead here
7 programs, with the college that teaches each.
Skills this career uses
The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.
- Reading Comprehension4.9
- Speaking4.8
- Active Listening4.6
- Active Learning4.1
- Critical Thinking4.8
- Writing4.6
- Social Perceptiveness3.8
- Judgment and Decision Making3.9
What the work is
Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. May study topics, such as public opinion, political decisionmaking, 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.
- Teach political science.
- Disseminate research results through academic publications, written reports, or public presentations.
- Identify issues for research and analysis.
- Develop and test theories, using information from interviews, newspapers, periodicals, case law, historical papers, polls, or statistical sources.
- 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.
Education people in this job have
Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.
- Master's degree8%
- Doctoral or professional92%
Job zone 5, extensive preparation: A graduate or professional degree, usually after a bachelor's.
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