Entry-level Political Scientist salary in Washington, DC
Based on 15 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level I in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Washington Dc, Arlington, Falls Church, Washington, Dc, Gaithersburg.
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $62,000 |
| 25th | $66,875 |
| 50th (median) | $85,000 |
| 75th | $107,890 |
| 90th | $109,160 |
Cost of living
Washington's median entry-level Political Scientist salary of $85,000 is worth about $78,100 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Washington = 108.9).
Compared with all workers here
All Political Scientists in the Washington, DC area earned a median of $156,730 in May 2025 (3,700 employed). The H-1B median here is $85,000, 46% lower.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Employers filing at this level
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Hudson Institute | too few | 2 |
| Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $85,000 | 15 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $118,633 | 10 |
| Senior · Level III | too few | 5 |
| Expert · Level IV | – | 0 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $60,965 | $85,000 | 15 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $87,568 | $118,633 | 10 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.