Political Scientists pay range in Detroit
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $65,220 a year or less, while the top 10% make $103,810 or more. The middle half of political scientists in Detroit earn between $79,990 and $102,990.
- $65K10th
- $80K25th
- $80KMedian
- $103K75th
- $104K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $89,470 | $7,456 | $43.01 |
| Median | $79,990 | $6,666 | $38.46 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $79,990 | $6,666 | $38.46 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $102,990 | $8,582 | $49.51 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Political Scientists pay in Detroit vs. Michigan and the U.S.
Political scientists in Detroit earn 12% less than the Michigan average ($102,060) and 37% less than the U.S. average ($142,510). At the median the gap is -44% against the U.S. median of $142,080.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | $89,470 | $79,990 | $65,220 | $103,810 | n/a |
| 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 Detroit
On the average salary of $89,470, a single filer in Detroit takes home about $66,208 a year, or $5,517 a month and $2,546 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). Includes Detroit's local income tax (2.4%).
Is Detroit a good place for political scientists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Detroit area are in line with the U.S. average (BEA price parity 100.3), so the average $89,470 buys what about $89,204 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.5 times the median wage of all jobs in Detroit ($52,080). A typical home costs $269,080, or 3.0 years of this average salary before tax.
Political Scientists salary in other Michigan cities
Detroit ranks 2nd of 2 Michigan metro areas for this job; Ann Arbor pays the most ($110,690).
- 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 Detroit: questions
How much do political scientists make an hour in Detroit?
$43.01 an hour on average, and $38.46 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level political scientists salary in Detroit?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $65,220 a year and the 25th percentile is $79,990, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the political scientists take-home pay in Detroit?
About $66,208 a year ($5,517 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $89,470. Includes Detroit's local income tax (2.4%).
Do political scientists earn more in Detroit than elsewhere?
The average here is 37% 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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI (19820). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 14.0%.
- 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). Includes Detroit's local income tax (2.4%).
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