- Salary statistics
- Political scientist salary
Political scientist salary
Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.
41 500 - 52 700 SEK / month
Women earn 96% of what men do.
Administration, ekonomi
Related tools
Salary progression Political scientist
What does a political scientist do? – tasks and work environment
Political scientists analyze political systems, study societal development, and interpret legislative processes. The work often involves qualified monitoring of external developments, report writing, and investigations for authorities, organizations, or companies. Many political scientists are also involved in research or education, contributing expertise on democracy, international relations, and administration. The work environment is mainly office-based and characterized by analytical tasks, project collaboration, and extensive information management.
Salary development over time
Political scientists have experienced a clear positive salary development in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 43,000 SEK per month, which increased slightly to 46 000 SEK in 2023. Between 2023 and 2024, salaries increased significantly faster, with an approximate rise of 6.2% to today's level of 46 700 SEK. The recent increase can be explained by higher demand for qualified societal analysis, skill shifts within the public sector, and increased competition for analytical roles. The salary trend also reflects a greater focus on strategic societal governance and the need for in-depth knowledge of democracy and international relations.
Political scientist salary – complete overview
- Average salary: 46 700 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 41,100 SEK/month (men), 42,000 SEK/month (women)
- Highest salary: 52,100 SEK/month (men), 50,700 SEK/month (women)
- Hourly wage: 277 SEK
- Gender differences: Women earn 96% of what men do (45 900 SEK compared to 47 500 SEK)
- Regional differences: Salary levels may vary depending on location and sector, with higher salaries in larger cities and within certain government agencies.
Education and qualifications
To work as a political scientist, a university degree in political science is generally required, often combined with internships or specialized courses. Many employers prefer a master's degree and value experience from investigations, analysis, or international studies. Some positions also require proven ability to work independently and handle complex information.
- Bachelor's degree in political science: 3 years
- Master's degree in political science: an additional 2 years
- Internships or trainee programs: common during or after studies
- Prerequisites: basic eligibility for university studies
- Relevant courses: public administration, international relations, societal analysis
A political scientist can work both nationally and internationally – it is common to combine societal analysis with exchanges, research, or consulting assignments in different countries. The flexibility opens doors to careers within embassies, EU institutions, and international organizations.
Common benefits and compensations
Political scientists are often covered by collective agreements that provide access to occupational pensions, parental leave, wellness allowances, and flexible working hours. Many workplaces also offer professional development, remote work, and opportunities for international assignments. The extent of benefits varies depending on the employer and sector.
Competition and challenges
The competition for attractive positions for political scientists is significant, especially within government agencies and larger organizations where positions are few and requirements high. Many employers seek candidates with both academic credentials and documented work experience. To stand out, specialized knowledge, language skills, or experience with international issues are often necessary. Digitalization and rapid societal changes also impose new demands for flexibility and continuous skills development. At the same time, the broad applicability of political science expertise means opportunities are good for those willing to be mobile and development-oriented.
Tips for those who want to become a political scientist
To succeed as a political scientist, it is good to combine analytical skills with a genuine curiosity about societal issues and politics. Building a broad network during your studies, for example through internships or voluntary engagement, can provide valuable experience and opportunities. Communication skills are crucial both for presenting analyses and collaborating on projects. Flexibility and the ability to quickly familiarize oneself with new areas are important qualities, especially as job tasks vary. Developing language skills, especially in English and possibly other languages, can open more doors within international organizations. Finally, perseverance and the ability to handle complex information are central to thriving and developing in the profession.
Key facts about political scientists
- Average salary: 46 700 SEK/month
- Salary range: 41,100–52,100 SEK/month
- Education level: Bachelor's (3 years) or master's (5 years) in political science
- Work environment: Office-based, often project-oriented with elements of remote work
- Demand: 758 available jobs within the profession (2024)
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years in the profession, political scientists can advance to specialist roles, project managers, or investigators within the public sector, consulting industry, or international organizations. Many move on to managerial positions within government agencies, research institutes, or interest organizations. The forecast from the Employment Service indicates continued good demand, especially for candidates with experience in analysis, investigation, and societal development. The increasing complexity of societal issues and the need for qualified external monitoring drive the demand for political science expertise. The number of available positions within the profession is currently 758, indicating a stable job market.
Common questions about political scientists
- What is the average salary of a political scientist?
- The average salary for a political scientist is 46 700 SEK per month. - What does the salary range look like for political scientists?
- Salaries range from 41,100 SEK to 52,100 SEK per month depending on experience, gender, and sector. - Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Yes, men earn on average 47 500 SEK while women earn 45 900 SEK, which means women earn approximately 96% of men's salaries. - What education is required to become a political scientist?
- A bachelor's (3 years) or master's (5 years) in political science is generally required. - What are the future prospects for political scientists?
- The job market is stable with 758 available positions and good career opportunities. - Which employers hire political scientists?
- Common employers include government agencies, research institutes, international organizations, and consulting firms.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 39100 kr | 39200 kr | |
| 35-44 | 103% | 46700 kr | 46800 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 48200 kr | 48200 kr |
| 55-64 | 91% | 48700 kr | 48700 kr |
| Snitt | 96% | 46600 kr | 46700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 103% | 40200 kr | 40400 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 47700 kr | 47800 kr |
| 45-54 | 99% | 50200 kr | 50200 kr |
| 55-64 | 96% | 50800 kr | 50800 kr |
| 65-68 | 93% | 53000 kr | 53000 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 48100 kr | 48200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 103% | 40200 kr | 40400 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 47700 kr | 47800 kr |
| 45-54 | 99% | 50200 kr | 50200 kr |
| 55-64 | 96% | 50800 kr | 50800 kr |
| 65-68 | 93% | 53000 kr | 53000 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 48100 kr | 48200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 44800 kr | 44800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 44800 kr | 44800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 103% | 46000 kr | 46100 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 48700 kr | 48700 kr |
| 55-64 | 91% | 50900 kr | 50900 kr |
| Snitt | 96% | 47500 kr | 47500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 103% | 39500 kr | 39600 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 47500 kr | 47600 kr |
| 45-54 | 99% | 50300 kr | 50400 kr |
| 55-64 | 96% | 51900 kr | 52000 kr |
| 65-68 | 93% | 54400 kr | 54400 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 48500 kr | 48500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 103% | 39500 kr | 39600 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 47500 kr | 47600 kr |
| 45-54 | 99% | 50300 kr | 50400 kr |
| 55-64 | 96% | 51900 kr | 52000 kr |
| 65-68 | 93% | 54400 kr | 54400 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 48500 kr | 48500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 46400 kr | 46400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 46400 kr | 46400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 103% | 47200 kr | 47300 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 47600 kr | 47700 kr |
| 55-64 | 91% | 46400 kr | 46400 kr |
| Snitt | 96% | 45800 kr | 45900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 103% | 40700 kr | 40900 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 47800 kr | 47900 kr |
| 45-54 | 99% | 50000 kr | 50000 kr |
| 55-64 | 96% | 49800 kr | 49800 kr |
| 65-68 | 93% | 50600 kr | 50600 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 47900 kr | 47900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 103% | 40700 kr | 40900 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 47800 kr | 47900 kr |
| 45-54 | 99% | 50000 kr | 50000 kr |
| 55-64 | 96% | 49800 kr | 49800 kr |
| 65-68 | 93% | 50600 kr | 50600 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 47900 kr | 47900 kr |
About the data
All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.
All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.
Profession Political scientist has the SSYK code 2623, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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