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Average Political Scientists Salary in California

The average salary for a Political Scientists in California is $132,240. This compensation is in line with national standards, reflecting a balanced and stable local job market.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $132,240 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 35.2% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $191,880.
  • Outlook: The current demand for Political Scientistss is stable, with a local workforce of approximately 50 professionals. This role remains a specialized component of the broader California economy.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$132,240

The average Political Scientists in California earns+5.7%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$63.6

Weekly

$2,543

Monthly

$11,020

Political Scientists Salary Distribution in California

The earning potential for Political Scientistss in California varies significantly by experience level. There is a substantial income gap, with top earners (90th percentile) making over 2.6x the starting salary. This indicates strong career progression opportunities. Entry-level roles (10th percentile) typically start around $75,180, while highly experienced professionals can command wages upwards of $191,880.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$75,180$36.1
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$99,180$47.7
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$130,630$62.8
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$165,300$79.5
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$191,880$92.3

Detailed Political Scientists Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$132,240

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$95,480

Adjusted for COL (138.5)

While the average salary of $132,240 in California is 6% higher than the national average, you should be aware of the cost of living. With a Cost of Living Index of 138.5, your real purchasing power is actually lower, effectively feeling like $95,480.

Job Market Context

50

Total Jobs

0.003

Per 1K Jobs

0.07

Location Quotient

Low Concentration

At 0.07x, California has a notably lower concentration of Political Scientists jobs than the national average. Opportunities in this area are relatively scarce for this profession.

50 people work as Political Scientists in California.

Only 0.003 out of every 1,000 local jobs are Political Scientists roles — this is a niche profession in the area.

Nearby Job Markets

Hiring Political Scientistss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Political Scientists make in California?

The median annual salary for a Political Scientists in California is $132,240. This typically ranges from $75,180 for entry-level positions to $191,880 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in California is 5.7% higher than the national median of $125,110.

Is California a good place for Political Scientistss?

Yes, California is financially attractive for Political Scientistss. The average salary of $132,240 exceeds the national average. See distinct detailed breakdown below.

Is California a good place to live for Political Scientists?

The Cost of Living Index in California is 138.5. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 50 employees in the California area with a job density of 0.003 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Semantic Salary Analysis for Political Scientists • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in California