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Alamo Colleges DistrictCareer Explorer

Political Scientists

Part of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics, in the Science and Mathematics pathway.

Job zone 5: extensive preparationO*NET 19-3094.00

What the work is

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.

On a typical day

  • Teach political science.
  • Disseminate research results through academic publications, written reports, or public presentations.
  • Identify issues for research and analysis.
  • Develop and test theories, using information from interviews, newspapers, periodicals, case law, historical papers, polls, or statistical sources.
  • Maintain current knowledge of government policy decisions.
  • Collect, analyze, and interpret data, such as election results and public opinion surveys, reporting on findings, recommendations, and conclusions.

What it pays

$114,050
Median pay per year, Texas (no San Antonio figure published)
New workers start near $87,530
Experienced workers reach $139,010
  1. $88k10th
  2. $102k25th
  3. $114kMedian
  4. $128k75th
  5. $139k90th
Wage percentiles: 10th $87,530, 25th $101,900, Median $114,050, 75th $128,320, 90th $139,010

Job outlook

U.S. projection, 2024 to 2034.

-3%

U.S. employment change

500

openings a year nationwide, from growth and people leaving

6,500

employed nationwide in 2024

Typical entry education: Master's degree

Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

  1. Reading Comprehension4.9
  2. Speaking4.8
  3. Active Listening4.6
  4. Active Learning4.1
  5. Critical Thinking4.8
  6. Writing4.6
  7. Social Perceptiveness3.8
  8. Judgment and Decision Making3.9

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

  1. Master's degree8%
  2. Doctoral or professional92%

Job zone 5, extensive preparation: A graduate or professional degree, usually after a bachelor's.

Alamo programs that lead here

  • Northeast Lakeview
  • Northwest Vista
  • Palo Alto
  • St. Philip's
  • San Antonio
  1. Political Science

    Transfer pre-major · Public Service

  2. Government

    Transfer pre-major · Public Service

  3. International Studies

    Degree · Transfer pre-major · Creative & Communication Arts

  4. Government

    Degree · Transfer pre-major · Public Service

  5. Government Political Science

    Transfer pre-major · Public Service

  6. International Studies

    Transfer pre-major · Creative & Communication Arts

  7. Political Science

    Transfer pre-major · Public Service

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