Skip to content

Let’s finish setting up your profile

We want to help you reach your goals. Complete your profile to find resources and schools that match your goals.

Log in or create an account

An account has a lot of perks. You can save your favorite careers, schools, and articles to your profile. You can even connect with an advisor for personalized recommendations.

Log in to get all the benefits of My Texas Future. If you don't have an account, you'll have the option to create one.

We've made some updates


To help make your path to college and career smoother, we've connected your My Texas Future account with ApplyTexas! That means that some of the fields in your learner profile might look a bit different. Some of the options available to you have changed or have different character limits. Check out your profile to make sure everything looks correct.


Sync with ApplyTexas?


Your My Texas Future profile information has updates. Review your updates and confirm if you want to sync with ApplyTexas.


Your session has expired

To continue using My Texas Future, please log in to your account.

See your college acceptances today!


Seniors can see where they're accepted before ever starting an application. Direct Admissions uses your academic record to show you where you'll get in. Don't worry if you don't see your dream school on your list, you can still apply through the regular process.


Something went wrong

Sorry, we couldn’t submit your information successfully.

Please try again or review our FAQs.

Political Scientists

Career Cluster

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Focuses on laboratory services, testing, and research. In this field, you will plan, manage, and conduct scientific research.

Learn more about this cluster

At a glance

Recommended education
Recommended education
For this career, most jobs require this level of education. It may be possible to qualify for some jobs without this level of education. Recommendation provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Master's or doctorate degree
Projected growth
Projected growth

This is the expected change in employment for this career in the selected county or state. For example, if a career is expected to double from 100 jobs to 200 jobs, this would show 100%. Due to how projected growth is reported, similar careers may show the same percentage.

These numbers represent the latest 10-year projection period (2018-2028). Data is provided by the Texas Workforce Commission.

N/AN/A

Expected pay range

Expected pay range

This represents the median earnings for this career in the selected county or state. In the range shown, 25% of workers earned less than the bottom salary and 25% earned more than the top salary. Data is provided by the Texas Workforce Commission.

Monthly cost of living

These numbers give you an idea of how much you can spend each month on common expenses with this salary. Percentages are the average a person with no children spends according to data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These numbers are a starting point and will differ person to person.

Monthly income (before taxes)
N/A
Housing (33%)
Housing
This represents the average percentage of monthly income spent on rent or mortgage, utilities, home or renters insurance, and home improvements. Data is provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
N/A
Transportation (17%)
Transportation
This represents the average percentage of monthly income spent on car payments, auto insurance, public transportation, and ride shares, Data is provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
N/A
Food (13%)
Food
This represents the average percentage of monthly income spent on groceries and preparing meals at home. Data is provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
N/A
Savings and retirement (12%)
Savings and retirement
This represents the average percentage of monthly income spent on 401(k), emergency funds, and life insurance. Data is provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
N/A
Education and loans (10%)
Education and loans
This represents the average percentage of monthly income spent on continuing education and student loan debt. Data is provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Use the federal student loan estimator to estimate loan payments.
N/A
Healthcare and wellness (8%)
Healthcare and wellness
This represents the average percentage of monthly income spent on health insurance, co-pays, fitness memberships, and supplements. Data is provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
N/A
Entertainment (5%)
Entertainment
This represents the average percentage of monthly income spent on shopping, dining out, and leisure activities. Data is provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
N/A
Other expenses (2%)
Other expenses
This represents the average percentage of monthly income spent on clothing, personal care, and services. Data is provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
N/A

Your actual expenses may differ from those listed. You’ll need to account for the amount taken out in taxes each month. Learn more about income tax expenses. Your student loan payments may also differ. To calculate your student loan payments, use the federal student loan repayment estimator.

About political scientists

Find programs for this career
What they do

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.

Skills they need

  • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  • Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • 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.
  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • 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.
  • Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
  • Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
  • Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.

Licenses and Certifications they may hold

How to decide which one is right? That depends on an individual’s career path, specialty, and resources.

Certifications

Certifications may be available for this career and can help build knowledge and skills in specific job roles. Explore available certifications

Similar careers

View careers in the same field as political scientists.

Climate Change Policy Analysts
Better pay

Median salary for this career is higher than the median salary of all careers in the county selected. Salary data is provided by the Texas Workforce Commission.

Research and analyze policy developments related to climate change. Make climate-related recommendations for actions such as legislation, awareness campaigns, or fundraising approaches.

Learn more
Economists
In demand

In demand careers have high-growth, high-demand, and emerging jobs critical to Texas. They are based on economic indicators like in demand industries, labor market trends, and economic conditions, provided by the Texas Workforce Commission.

Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.

Learn more
Environmental Economists
Better pay

Median salary for this career is higher than the median salary of all careers in the county selected. Salary data is provided by the Texas Workforce Commission.

Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.

Learn more
Law Teachers, Postsecondary
In demand

In demand careers have high-growth, high-demand, and emerging jobs critical to Texas. They are based on economic indicators like in demand industries, labor market trends, and economic conditions, provided by the Texas Workforce Commission.

Teach courses in law. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Learn more