According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' page for Political Scientists, the projected increase in jobs from 2008 - 2018 is a pleasant 19%.
What do you think of this? Too optimistic? How do we harmonize this with everyone talking about how if you don't graduate from a Top 25 program you will be pushing a shopping cart in the streets?
p.s. that is a very nice median salary, for those who make it there.