Political Scientists pay range in Ann Arbor
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $68,380 a year or less, while the top 10% make $174,940 or more. The middle half of political scientists in Ann Arbor earn between $72,930 and $136,370.
- $68K10th
- $73K25th
- $86KMedian
- $136K75th
- $175K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $110,690 | $9,224 | $53.22 |
| Median | $86,290 | $7,191 | $41.49 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $72,930 | $6,078 | $35.06 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $136,370 | $11,364 | $65.56 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Political Scientists pay in Ann Arbor vs. Michigan and the U.S.
Political scientists in Ann Arbor earn 8% more than the Michigan average ($102,060) and 22% less than the U.S. average ($142,510). At the median the gap is -39% against the U.S. median of $142,080.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | $110,690 | $86,290 | $68,380 | $174,940 | 60 |
| Michigan | $102,060 | $86,290 | $68,380 | $155,740 | 180 |
| United States | $142,510 | $142,080 | $83,350 | $195,190 | 5,540 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Political Scientists salary after taxes in Ann Arbor
On the average salary of $110,690, a single filer in Ann Arbor takes home about $82,243 a year, or $6,854 a month and $3,163 every two weeks. Taxes take 26% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).
Is Ann Arbor a good place for political scientists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Ann Arbor area are in line with the U.S. average (BEA price parity 100.9), so the average $110,690 buys what about $109,724 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Ann Arbor ($55,380). A typical home costs $422,945, or 3.8 years of this average salary before tax.
Political Scientists salary in other Michigan cities
Ann Arbor ranks 1st of 2 Michigan metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Ann Arbor$110,690
- Detroit$89,470
Highest-paying cities for political scientists
Washington, DC pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($156,310).
- Washington, DC$156,310
- Seattle, WA$146,970
- Boston, MA$135,740
- Phoenix, AZ$124,870
- Ann Arbor, MI$110,690
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Political Scientists salary in Ann Arbor: questions
How much do political scientists make an hour in Ann Arbor?
$53.22 an hour on average, and $41.49 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level political scientists salary in Ann Arbor?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $68,380 a year and the 25th percentile is $72,930, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the political scientists take-home pay in Ann Arbor?
About $82,243 a year ($6,854 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $110,690.
Do political scientists earn more in Ann Arbor than elsewhere?
The average here is 22% less than the U.S. average for this job ($142,510).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-3094; area Ann Arbor, MI (11460). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 9.3%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 7.51, this job is 7.5 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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