Law & Public
What Can You Do With a Political Science Degree?
Government, policy, and power. A common on-ramp to law, advocacy, and public service. We track 6 careers that a Political Science degree commonly leads to, with median pay from $62,200 to $159,670 depending on the role and how far you take it.
How these numbers work: A major does not have its own salary. The pay above comes from the 6 careers below that a Political Science degree commonly leads to, using each one's national median wage from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Entry-level roles sit toward the bottom of that range and advanced or graduate-level roles toward the top, so where you land depends on the specific career and any further education. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034).
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Frequently asked questions
What can you do with a Political Science degree?
A Political Science degree commonly leads to 6 careers we track, including Lawyer / Attorney, Political Scientist, and Compliance Officer. Median pay across those roles runs from $62,200 to $159,670 a year (BLS).
How much do Political Science majors make?
A major does not have its own salary. The 6 careers a Political Science degree leads to have national median wages from $62,200 to $159,670 a year (BLS). Entry-level roles sit toward the bottom of that range and senior or graduate-level roles toward the top.
What jobs can a Political Science major get?
Common roles include Lawyer / Attorney, Political Scientist, Compliance Officer, and Criminal Justice / Law Enforcement. Lawyer / Attorney is among the higher-paying, at $159,670 median.
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Take the major quizSalary and job-growth figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034). National figures; actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.