In the Political Science Program at OSU, students learn the ideas of great political thinkers, controversies involved in issues as current as the front page of today's newspapers, and everything in between. They learn to think critically, write clearly and speak persuasively about hot topic issues.
Position Title | Projected Growth (2014-2024) | Preparation Required | 2015 Median Wage |
---|---|---|---|
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers
Position Description:Conduct hearings to recommend or make decisions on claims concerning government programs or other government-related matters. Determine liability, sanctions, or penalties, or recommend the acceptance or rejection of claims or settlements.
Projected Growth:
Decline (-2% or lower)
Median Pay:
$93,140 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 5
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Decline (-2% or lower) | Job Zone 5 | $93,140 per year |
Broadcast News Analysts
Position Description:Analyze, interpret, and broadcast news received from various sources.
Projected Growth:
Decline (-2% or lower)
Median Pay:
$89,240 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Decline (-2% or lower) | Job Zone 4 | $89,240 per year |
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers
Position Description:Conduct hearings to recommend or make decisions on claims concerning government programs or other government-related matters. Determine liability, sanctions, or penalties, or recommend the acceptance or rejection of claims or settlements.
Projected Growth:
Decline (-2% or lower)
Median Pay:
$93,140 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 5
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Decline (-2% or lower) | Job Zone 5 | $93,140 per year |
Interpreters and Translators
Position Description:Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.
Projected Growth:
Decline (-2% or lower)
Median Pay:
$48,360 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Decline (-2% or lower) | Job Zone 4 | $48,360 per year |
Public Relations Specialists
Position Description:Engage in promoting or creating an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media.
Projected Growth:
Decline (-2% or lower)
Median Pay:
$65,830 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Decline (-2% or lower) | Job Zone 4 | $65,830 per year |
Intelligence Analysts
Position Description:Gather, analyze, or evaluate information from a variety of sources, such as law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks or geographic information systems. Use intelligence data to anticipate and prevent organized crime activities, such as terrorism.
Projected Growth:
Little or no change (-1% to 1%)
Median Pay:
$79,620 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Little or no change (-1% to 1%) | Job Zone 4 | $79,620 per year |
Chief Executives
Position Description:Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.
Projected Growth:
Little or no change (-1% to 1%)
Median Pay:
$185,850 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 5
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Little or no change (-1% to 1%) | Job Zone 5 | $185,850 per year |
Criminal Investigators and Special Agents
Position Description:Investigate alleged or suspected criminal violations of Federal, state, or local laws to determine if evidence is sufficient to recommend prosecution.
Projected Growth:
Little or no change (-1% to 1%)
Median Pay:
$79,620 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 3
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Little or no change (-1% to 1%) | Job Zone 3 | $79,620 per year |
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
Position Description:Arbitrate, advise, adjudicate, or administer justice in a court of law. May sentence defendant in criminal cases according to government statutes or sentencing guidelines. May determine liability of defendant in civil cases. May perform wedding ceremonies.
Projected Growth:
Little or no change (-1% to 1%)
Median Pay:
$116,100 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 5
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Little or no change (-1% to 1%) | Job Zone 5 | $116,100 per year |
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs
Position Description:Determine eligibility of persons applying to receive assistance from government programs and agency resources, such as welfare, unemployment benefits, social security, and public housing.
Projected Growth:
Slower than average (2% to 4%)
Median Pay:
$43,040 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 3
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Slower than average (2% to 4%) | Job Zone 3 | $43,040 per year |
Budget Analysts
Position Description:Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.
Projected Growth:
Slower than average (2% to 4%)
Median Pay:
$75,150 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Slower than average (2% to 4%) | Job Zone 4 | $75,150 per year |
Historians
Position Description:Research, analyze, record, and interpret the past as recorded in sources, such as government and institutional records, newspapers and other periodicals, photographs, interviews, films, electronic media, and unpublished manuscripts, such as personal diaries and letters.
Projected Growth:
Slower than average (2% to 4%)
Median Pay:
$61,120 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 5
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Slower than average (2% to 4%) | Job Zone 5 | $61,120 per year |
Political Scientists
Position Description:Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. May study topics, such as public opinion, political decision-making, 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.
Projected Growth:
Slower than average (2% to 4%)
Median Pay:
$103,210 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 5
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Slower than average (2% to 4%) | Job Zone 5 | $103,210 per year |
Government Property Inspectors and Investigators
Position Description:Investigate or inspect government property to ensure compliance with contract agreements and government regulations.
Projected Growth:
Slower than average (2% to 4%)
Median Pay:
$69,180 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 3
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Slower than average (2% to 4%) | Job Zone 3 | $69,180 per year |
Archivists
Position Description:Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials.
Projected Growth:
Average (5% to 8%)
Median Pay:
$53,880 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 5
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Average (5% to 8%) | Job Zone 5 | $53,880 per year |
Police Patrol Officers
Position Description:Patrol assigned area to enforce laws and ordinances, regulate traffic, control crowds, prevent crime, and arrest violators.
Projected Growth:
Average (5% to 8%)
Median Pay:
$61,270 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 3
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Average (5% to 8%) | Job Zone 3 | $61,270 per year |
Treasurers and Controllers
Position Description:Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.
Projected Growth:
Average (5% to 8%)
Median Pay:
$134,330 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 5
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Average (5% to 8%) | Job Zone 5 | $134,330 per year |
Lawyers
Position Description:Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.
Projected Growth:
Average (5% to 8%)
Median Pay:
$136,260 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 5
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Average (5% to 8%) | Job Zone 5 | $136,260 per year |
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Position Description:Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.
Projected Growth:
Average (5% to 8%)
Median Pay:
$52,390 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 3
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Average (5% to 8%) | Job Zone 3 | $52,390 per year |
Legislators
Position Description:Develop, introduce or enact laws and statutes at the local, tribal, State, or Federal level. Includes only workers in elected positions.
Projected Growth:
Average (5% to 8%)
Median Pay:
$42,530 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:N/A |
Average (5% to 8%) | Job Zone 4 | $42,530 per year |
Editors
Position Description:Plan, coordinate, or edit content of material for publication. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication. Includes technical editors.
Projected Growth:
Average (5% to 8%)
Median Pay:
$64,910 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Average (5% to 8%) | Job Zone 4 | $64,910 per year |
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Position Description:Teach courses in political science, international affairs, and international relations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Projected Growth:
Faster than average (9% to 13%)
Median Pay:
$88,680 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 5
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Faster than average (9% to 13%) | Job Zone 5 | $88,680 per year |
Program Directors
Position Description:Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in preparation of radio or television station program schedules and programs, such as sports or news.
Projected Growth:
Faster than average (9% to 13%)
Median Pay:
$89,670 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Faster than average (9% to 13%) | Job Zone 4 | $89,670 per year |
Auditors
Position Description:Examine and analyze accounting records to determine financial status of establishment and prepare financial reports concerning operating procedures.
Projected Growth:
Faster than average (9% to 13%)
Median Pay:
$75,280 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Faster than average (9% to 13%) | Job Zone 4 | $75,280 per year |
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators
Position Description:Facilitate negotiation and conflict resolution through dialogue. Resolve conflicts outside of the court system by mutual consent of parties involved.
Projected Growth:
Faster than average (9% to 13%)
Median Pay:
$69,060 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 5
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Faster than average (9% to 13%) | Job Zone 5 | $69,060 per year |
Survey Researchers
Position Description:Plan, develop, or conduct surveys. May analyze and interpret the meaning of survey data, determine survey objectives, or suggest or test question wording. Includes social scientists who primarily design questionnaires or supervise survey teams.
Projected Growth:
Faster than average (9% to 13%)
Median Pay:
$59,340 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 5
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Faster than average (9% to 13%) | Job Zone 5 | $59,340 per year |
City and Regional Planning Aides
Position Description:Compile data from various sources, such as maps, reports, and field and file investigations, for use by city planner in making planning studies.
Projected Growth:
Much faster than average (14% or higher)
Median Pay:
$45,760 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Much faster than average (14% or higher) | Job Zone 4 | $45,760 per year |
Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials.
Determine eligibility of persons applying to receive assistance from government programs and agency resources, such as welfare, unemployment benefits, social security, and public housing.
Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.
Research, analyze, record, and interpret the past as recorded in sources, such as government and institutional records, newspapers and other periodicals, photographs, interviews, films, electronic media, and unpublished manuscripts, such as personal diaries and letters.
Teach courses in political science, international affairs, and international relations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. May study topics, such as public opinion, political decision-making, 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.
Gather, analyze, or evaluate information from a variety of sources, such as law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks or geographic information systems. Use intelligence data to anticipate and prevent organized crime activities, such as terrorism.
Conduct hearings to recommend or make decisions on claims concerning government programs or other government-related matters. Determine liability, sanctions, or penalties, or recommend the acceptance or rejection of claims or settlements.
Patrol assigned area to enforce laws and ordinances, regulate traffic, control crowds, prevent crime, and arrest violators.
Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in preparation of radio or television station program schedules and programs, such as sports or news.
Examine and analyze accounting records to determine financial status of establishment and prepare financial reports concerning operating procedures.
Investigate or inspect government property to ensure compliance with contract agreements and government regulations.
Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.
Compile data from various sources, such as maps, reports, and field and file investigations, for use by city planner in making planning studies.
Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.
Investigate alleged or suspected criminal violations of Federal, state, or local laws to determine if evidence is sufficient to recommend prosecution.
Analyze, interpret, and broadcast news received from various sources.
Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.
Arbitrate, advise, adjudicate, or administer justice in a court of law. May sentence defendant in criminal cases according to government statutes or sentencing guidelines. May determine liability of defendant in civil cases. May perform wedding ceremonies.
Conduct hearings to recommend or make decisions on claims concerning government programs or other government-related matters. Determine liability, sanctions, or penalties, or recommend the acceptance or rejection of claims or settlements.
Facilitate negotiation and conflict resolution through dialogue. Resolve conflicts outside of the court system by mutual consent of parties involved.
Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.
Develop, introduce or enact laws and statutes at the local, tribal, State, or Federal level. Includes only workers in elected positions.
N/A
Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.
Plan, coordinate, or edit content of material for publication. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication. Includes technical editors.
Engage in promoting or creating an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media.
Plan, develop, or conduct surveys. May analyze and interpret the meaning of survey data, determine survey objectives, or suggest or test question wording. Includes social scientists who primarily design questionnaires or supervise survey teams.
Explore career information and other resources specifically tailored to Political Science majors.
Career Development Center
A110 Kerr Admin Building, Corvallis, OR 97331
541-737-4085 • Contact Us
Hours: Mon-Fri, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.