Top 20 Career Roles You Can Pursue with a Bachelor’s in Political Science

Top Career Roles You Can Pursue with a Bachelor’s in Political Science

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The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports steady growth in roles tied to policy, governance, and legal support. For example, employment for political scientists is projected to grow 7% from 2022 to 2032, and policy-related support roles remain in steady demand across state and federal offices. A bachelor's degree in political science remains a strong choice among students, offering clear access to roles across government, including public policy, stable affairs, and emerging new fields. Employers across these areas look for graduates who can research, write, and present information in clear, structured ways.

Universities that deliver updated and practical political science training provide students with a stronger foundation. Stride University follows this approach by linking political science studies with current issues in public policy, technology, global security, and law.

This article presents the top career roles political science graduates pursue, the abilities each path requires, and the salary expectations supported by trusted U.S. sources.

Government and Public Sector Careers

Government jobs remain popular among political science graduates because they offer clear career paths, a stable income, and work that positively impacts communities. Federal and state agencies hire thousands each year. According to USAJobs hiring reports for 2024, public administrations and policy roles remain among the most active recruitment areas for new graduates across the country.

Policy Analyst

Average Salary: Around $86,678 per year (Indeed)

High-pay locations:

Washington DC agencies
State capitals with active public programs
Federal departments like HHS and DHS

Policy analysts study public issues, write reports, and recommend solutions to government offices or agencies. Agencies use this work to understand programs, review proposals, and track community needs.

Required Skills:

Research and case study review
Policy writing
Basic statistics for public issues
Clear communication

Legislative Assistant

Average Salary: About $64,409 per year (Indeed)

High-pay locations:

Congressional offices
Senate committees
High-activity state legislatures

Legislative assistants support elected officials. They research bills, write memos, track meetings, and assist in preparing public updates. This role suits students who enjoy government work that requires strong writing and organization skills.

Required Skills:

Writing clear memos
Tracking legislative calendars
Researching bills
Speaking with community groups

Public Affairs Specialist

Average Salary: Around $76,221 per year (ZipRecruiter)

Better-paying employers:

FEMA
Department of Energy
Large city governments

Public affairs specialists explain government programs to the public. They write statements, prepare outreach plans, and work with media teams. Agencies hire these specialists to help people understand services, changes, or new rules.

Required Skills:

Writing for public updates
Planning outreach efforts
Social communication
Understanding agency programs

Government Program Analyst

Average Salary: Around $78,000 per year (Glassdoor)

Higher pay locations:

Washington,
DC,
Large state agencies (California, New York, Texas)

Program analysts assist government departments in reviewing budgets, measuring results, and evaluating the performance of programs. Students who excel in research and planning tend to excel in this role.

Required Skills:

Reading Budgets
Public program review
Report writing
Basic planning

Legislative Analyst

Average Salary: $65,000 to $115,000 per year (Glassdoor)

Top hiring offices:

Congressional Research Service
State Legislative Service Bureaus
Federal committees

Legislative analysts review policy proposals, examine legal aspects, and explain how each change could impact public programs. They prepare short reports that help lawmakers decide which ideas to support or revise. They also track bills, follow committee updates, and answer quick research requests during busy sessions.

Required Skills:

Policy Study
Legal Reading
Report writing
Research

Law and Legal Pathways

The American Bar Association reports steady growth in legal support fields. This rise is directly connected to new rules surrounding privacy, public safety, finance, and workplace rights. Law offices, government units, and corporate teams require support staff who can read and interpret rules, organize records, and assist with case preparation. Hiring rates continue to rise during busy periods as work moves quickly and firms attract new graduates who can hit the ground running and produce well-organized reports.

Political science majors bring the exact mix that employers like. Schools like Stride University and UCLA help students build these strengths through courses in public law, constitutional studies, and policy writing.

Paralegal

Average Salary: Around $59,000 per year

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects steady growth for paralegal jobs through 2032, with strong hiring in certain states. Paralegals assist attorneys in handling case files, preparing documents, and verifying facts prior to hearings or meetings.

Hiring States: California, Texas, and Florida. Pay can shift a lot by region

In Washington, DC: Around $85,000+
In New York City, starting roles typically pay between $55,000 and $70,000.

Required Skills:

Record sorting
Fact-checking
Basic legal writing
Research
Time planning

Legal Research Assistant

Average Salary: $62,000 per year (Glassdoor).

Large hiring firms in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Boston push pay closer to $70,000 to $78,000, while Washington, D.C., remains the highest site for research roles tied to government cases.

Required Skills:

Clear Writing
Research on legal databases
Case summarizing
Organizing long documents
Understanding basic court procedure

Programs at Stride University, Penn State, and the University of Maryland offer legal research electives that teach students how to search codes and rulings with confidence.

Compliance Officer

Average Salary: $78,730 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Hiring Companies: New York, San Francisco, and Houston report higher averages that reach $90,000 to $105,00, especially in finance and energy.

Compliance officers help companies follow state and federal rules in areas such as hiring, safety, finance, and privacy. They check internal policies, review documents, track updates to regulations, and guide teams when something needs corrections. Their job keeps organizations out of legal trouble and builds clear standards that employees can follow.

Required Skills:

Clear documentation
Rule Interpretation
Detail tracking
Internal audit basics
Communication with teams across departments

Policy and Think Tank Careers

Think tanks study public issues and give lawmakers, nonprofits, and agencies clear plans to move forward. Graduates who enjoy research, writing, and debates around public problems do well here. These roles reward steady curiosity, sharp analysis, and the skill to turn a complex issue into readable recommendations.

Policy Researcher

Average Salary: Around $72,000 to $85,000 (Glassdoor).

Policy researchers gather facts, study past cases, interview experts, and write reports that guide public conversations. Their work shapes briefings, legislative memos, and public discussions inside institutes. The role stays constant because groups track the economy, housing, education, and tech issues year.

Required Skills:

Clear writing
Fact-checking
Report drafting
Basic stats
Topic research

Research Fellow

Average Salary: $55,000 to $78,000 depending on Institution (Indeed)

Research fellows work on focused projects within think tanks or university centers. They assist senior researchers, draft publications, and manage small studies.

Required Skills:

Clear Scheduling
Academic Writing
Topic specialization
Interview preparation

Advocacy Specialist

Average Salary: $62,000 to $76,000 (Glassdoor)

Demanding states:

Texas
Colorado
North Carolina

Advocacy specialists support cause-based groups that push for policy changes in areas like education, public health, safety, or technology. They prepare campaign briefs, track bills, communicate with lawmakers' offices, and assist in shaping outreach plans.

Required Skills:

Clear public messaging
Community outreach
Basic campaign planning
Bill tracking

Global Affairs and International Careers

Students who enjoy world events, diplomacy, security issues, or cultural studies work well in global careers. This path suits someone who likes travel-heavy work, fast updates, and solving cross-border problems. Political science majors are perfect for this, as they learn how governments act, how treaties shape action, and how public opinion shifts outcomes.

Foreign Service Officer

Average Salary: $60,000 to $95,000 depending on rank (U.S Department of State)

Foreign Service Officers represent the U.S. abroad in areas like political affairs, public affairs, management, or consular work. They gain a hike as they pass assessments and move between posts.

Required Skills:

Clear Writing
Crisis handling
Cultural awareness
Report drafting

International Programs Coordinator

Average Salary: $52,000 to $70,000 (Glassdoor)

Higher pay locations:

Washington D.C
New York
Seattle

Coordinators support global education programs, nonprofit projects, or development work. They maintain communication between offices, plan events, manage grants, and track project progress.

Requires Skills:

Clear Scheduling
Communication
Project tracking
Basic Budgeting

Intelligence Analyst

Average Salary: Around $86,000 (Indeed)

High pay locations: Agencies in D.C, defense contractors in Virginia, and private security firms give higher starting pay.

Intelligence analysts study risks, security threats, and geopolitical changes for agencies and private firms. They review reports, track world events, and create briefings.

Required Skills:

Clear Reporting
Pattern Spotting
Risk Review
Research Tools

Business and Corporate Careers

Companies are hiring political science graduates for roles that deal with public issues, rules, and company reputation. Businesses face new rules each year, pressure from communities, and global changes. They need people who understand policy, communication, and research. This makes political science grads a natural fit.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Coordinator

Average Salary: $56,000 to $75,000 (Glassdoor)

Higher-paying roles: Large companies in California, New York, and Texas.

CSR teams handle community programs, sustainability reporting, and company-public communication. Coordinators help track progress, prepare reports, and support partnerships with nonprofits.

Required Skills:

Report drafting
Project tracking
Clear communication
Understanding community issues

HR Policy Specialist

HR Policy teams set workplace rules, review compliance topics, and guide updates that match state and federal requirements. Specialists draft policies, explain rules, and research new employment trends.

Average Salary: $63,000 to $92,000 (Indeed).

Hiring Headquarters: Seattle, Atlanta, and Chicago show strong hiring.

Required Skills:

Clear writing
Accuracy in documentation
Understanding labor rules
Communication with teams

Public Policy Specialist (Corporate)

Average Salary: $78,000 to $120,000 (Glassdoor)

This role connects companies with policymakers, tracks new rules, and prepares briefings for leadership. These specialists explain how new laws might affect business operations.

Hiring Sectors: Companies in tech, finance, and energy increase hiring as rules change.

Required Skills

Research
Clear Brief writing
Government processes knowledge
Communication

New and Emerging Careers

New problems call for new policy roles. Companies, agencies, and research groups are hiring graduates who understand technology, security, climate topics, and global changes. Political science degrees help students research, write, and explain complex issues clearly, which fits these roles well.

Below are the most in-demand paths right now, with pay ranges pulled from trusted sources.

AI Governance Specialist

Average Salary: $90,000 to $150,000 (Glassdoor for AI policy jobs)

High-tech centers in California, Virginia, and Washington show strong hiring.

AI tools shape hiring, healthcare, finance, and daily services. AI governance specialists build rules that keep these tools fair and safe. They review AI impacts, check bias risks, and prepare policy.

Required Skills:

Basic knowledge of AI systems
Ethics and policy writing
Impact assessment
High Research skills

Cyber Policy Analyst

Average Salary: $90,000 to $130,000 (ZipRecruiter)

Strong Hiring: DC, Texas, Colorado, and Maryland

Cyber policy specialists help organizations understand security rules, support compliance, and prepare responses to emerging risks. They focus on privacy, threat trends, and government standards.

Required Skills:

Research
Knowledge of cybersecurity basics
Policy drafting
Analysis of security trends

Climate Policy Analyst

Average Salary: $65,000 to $115,000 (Glassdoor)

Climate rules continue to grow in the U.S. Analysts help cities, companies, and agencies set goals, measure progress, and write climate action plans.

Strong Hiring: California, Oregon, Massachusetts, and Colorado.

Required Skills:

Environmental policy knowledge
Research and analysis
Public communication
Impact evaluation

Political Risk Analyst

Political risk analysts help companies understand global changes, instability, trade rules, and supply chain issues. They prepare risk reports, update forecasts, and support international planning.

Average Salary: $70,000 to $130,000 (Glassdoor)

High Pay locations: New York, DC, Houston, and Boston

Required Skills:

Geopolitical analysis
Risk evaluation
Clear writing
Research and scenario study

Conclusion

A degree in political science continues to provide direct pathways into government, public policy, legal support roles, international work, corporate policy positions, and fast-growing areas such as cybersecurity regulation, AI governance, and climate policy.

Colleges that connect policy studies with issues give students a stronger direction. Stride University follows this practice by offering political science students research projects, policy assignments, and guidance that align with current needs in government, law, and global affairs. With preparation that builds confidence and skill, graduates can step into respected positions across public offices, private firms, and international organizations.