Political Scientists
Machines can already do 62% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 86%. Most of the work is changing now.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Political Scientists in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 62% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 45% of them.
- Forecast: machines can already do half of its tasks, and 86% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 5,540 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $142,080 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 58% for contact with people.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collect, analyze, and interpret data, such as election results and public opinion surveys, reporting on findings, recommendations, and conclusions | 15% | 60% to 90% | |
| Interpret and analyze policies, public issues, legislation, or the operations of governments, businesses, and organizations | 15% | 78% to 97% | |
| Develop and test theories, using information from interviews, newspapers, periodicals, case law, historical papers, polls, or statistical sources | 11% | 85% to 97% | |
| Disseminate research results through academic publications, written reports, or public presentations | 11% | 70% to 95% | |
| Maintain current knowledge of government policy decisions | 10% | 45% to 80% | |
| Consult with and advise government officials, civic bodies, research agencies, the media, political parties, and others concerned with political issues | 7% | 35% to 65% | |
| Evaluate programs and policies, and make related recommendations to institutions and organizations | 6% | 76% to 96% | |
| Teach political science | 5% | 85% to 97% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills political scientists use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary64% of tasks by 2035 · US median $98,070
- Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary65% of tasks by 2035 · US median $84,290
- Legislators63% of tasks by 2035
- Law Teachers, Postsecondary66% of tasks by 2035 · US median $128,500
What should you do about it?
Open this job in the Workforce Starburst to see it for your country, then use these to act on it.
Watch This Job
Get told when the outlook for this job changes.
Free planSkills to learn next
The skills that make this job, or the next one, last longer.
In the StarburstCheck your readiness
Ten quick questions on how ready you are.
FreeAsk Vantage
Ask what this job means for you and get a sourced answer.
Free to askFutures Academy courses
Courses matched to your gaps.
Coming soonPay trend
Where pay for this job is heading.
Coming soonTeam plan
Every role in your team, side by side, with a plan for each.
Pro and CorporateShared workspace
Work through it with your team, with notes and decisions kept.
Pro and Corporate
Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Political Scientists?
Machines can already do half of its tasks. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of political scientists?
Machines can do 62% of the tasks of political scientists today and 86% by 2035. Most of the routine work moves to machines, and the people in the job move to oversight, judgement and client work.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 19-3094.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Political Scientists: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/political-scientists/