Best Jobs For Cognitive Science Majors

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10 Best Jobs For Cognitive Science Major In 2023

It can be hard to find the perfect job after you graduate from college. Luckily for students who graduated with a cognitive science degree, we have got you covered. We found the jobs that most cognitive science majors prefer by examining millions of job listings and 762 cognitive science major resumes.

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1. Research Internship

Starting Salary
$26,000
Job openings
95,123
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  Washington, DC;  Boston, MA;  
Job Description:
Market research analysts study market conditions to examine potential sales of a product or service. They help companies understand what products people want, who will buy them, and at what price.

2. Research Assistant

Starting Salary
$28,000
Job openings
51,080
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  Boston, MA;  Chicago, IL;  
Job Description:
A Research Assistant helps carry out a particular research agenda. They are generally found in the social science or laboratory setting.

3. Marketing Internship

Starting Salary
$23,000
Job openings
122,135
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  Chicago, IL;  Los Angeles, CA;  
Job Description:
Market research analysts study market conditions to examine potential sales of a product or service. They help companies understand what products people want, who will buy them, and at what price.

4. Research Associate

Starting Salary
$41,000
Job openings
63,884
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  Washington, DC;  San Diego, CA;  
Job Description:
A Research Associate plans, organizes, and conducts research in scientific, cultural, historical, or artistic. They conduct literature, collect and analyze data, and recruit and/or interview new people.

5. User Experience Designer

Starting Salary
$65,000
Job openings
52,582
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  San Francisco, CA;  Seattle, WA;  
Job Description:
Graphic designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. They develop the overall layout and production design for various applications such as advertisements, brochures, magazines, and corporate reports.

6. User Experience Researcher

Starting Salary
$73,000
Job openings
24,148
Top Locations:
Seattle, WA;  New York, NY;  San Francisco, CA;  
Job Description:
Market research analysts study market conditions to examine potential sales of a product or service. They help companies understand what products people want, who will buy them, and at what price.

7. Data Analyst

Starting Salary
$53,000
Job openings
167,520
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  Houston, TX;  Chicago, IL;  
Job Description:
Management analysts, often called management consultants, propose ways to improve the efficiency of an organization. They advise managers on how to make organizations more profitable through reduced costs and increased revenues.

8. Programming Internship

Starting Salary
$23,000
Job openings
49,839
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  Washington, DC;  Chicago, IL;  
Job Description:
Software developers are the creative minds behind computer programs. Some develop the applications that allow people to do specific tasks on a computer or another device. Others develop the underlying systems that run the devices or that control networks.

9. Researcher

Starting Salary
$37,000
Job openings
30,498
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  Los Angeles, CA;  Atlanta, GA;  
Job Description:
Medical scientists conduct research aimed at improving overall human health. They often use clinical trials and other investigative methods to reach their findings.

10. Laboratory Technician

Starting Salary
$27,000
Job openings
84,357
Top Locations:
Houston, TX;  New York, NY;  San Antonio, TX;  
Job Description:
Medical laboratory technologists (commonly known as medical laboratory scientists) and medical laboratory technicians collect samples and perform tests to analyze body fluids, tissue, and other substances.

11. Software Engineer

Starting Salary
$73,000
Job openings
339,938
Top Locations:
San Francisco, CA;  New York, NY;  Austin, TX;  
Job Description:
Software developers are the creative minds behind computer programs. Some develop the applications that allow people to do specific tasks on a computer or another device. Others develop the underlying systems that run the devices or that control networks.

12. Human Resources Coordinator

Starting Salary
$32,000
Job openings
53,322
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  Houston, TX;  Chicago, IL;  
Job Description:
Human resources specialists recruit, screen, interview, and place workers. They often handle other human resources work, such as those related to employee relations, compensation and benefits, and training.

13. Office Assistant

Starting Salary
$24,000
Job openings
103,293
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  Houston, TX;  Chicago, IL;  
Job Description:
General office clerks perform a variety of clerical tasks, including answering telephones, typing documents, and filing records.

14. Data Scientist

Starting Salary
$75,000
Job openings
106,973
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  San Francisco, CA;  Chicago, IL;  
Job Description:
Computer and information research scientists invent and design new approaches to computing technology and find innovative uses for existing technology. They study and solve complex problems in computing for business, medicine, science, and other fields.

15. Laboratory Assistant

Starting Salary
$26,000
Job openings
50,853
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  San Diego, CA;  Boston, MA;  
Job Description:
Medical laboratory technologists (commonly known as medical laboratory scientists) and medical laboratory technicians collect samples and perform tests to analyze body fluids, tissue, and other substances.

16. Product Designer

Starting Salary
$68,000
Job openings
98,465
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  San Francisco, CA;  Chicago, IL;  
Job Description:
Industrial designers develop the concepts for manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and toys. They combine art, business, and engineering to make products that people use every day. Industrial designers consider the function, aesthetics, production costs, and the usability of products when developing new product concepts.

17. Design Internship

Starting Salary
$32,000
Job openings
97,018
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  Los Angeles, CA;  San Francisco, CA;  
Job Description:
Graphic designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. They develop the overall layout and production design for various applications such as advertisements, brochures, magazines, and corporate reports.

18. Software Engineering Internship

Starting Salary
$30,000
Job openings
301,105
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  Seattle, WA;  San Francisco, CA;  
Job Description:
Software developers are the creative minds behind computer programs. Some develop the applications that allow people to do specific tasks on a computer or another device. Others develop the underlying systems that run the devices or that control networks.

19. Social Media Internship

Starting Salary
$24,000
Job openings
79,411
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  Los Angeles, CA;  Chicago, IL;  
Job Description:
Public relations specialists create and maintain a favorable public image for the organization they represent. They design media releases to shape public perception of their organization and to increase awareness of its work and goals.

20. Analyst

Starting Salary
$53,000
Job openings
253,138
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  Chicago, IL;  Houston, TX;  
Job Description:
Management analysts, often called management consultants, propose ways to improve the efficiency of an organization. They advise managers on how to make organizations more profitable through reduced costs and increased revenues.

21. Research Analyst

Starting Salary
$45,000
Job openings
81,374
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  Washington, DC;  Chicago, IL;  
Job Description:
Market research analysts study market conditions to examine potential sales of a product or service. They help companies understand what products people want, who will buy them, and at what price.

22. Marketing Assistant

Starting Salary
$28,000
Job openings
77,611
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  Los Angeles, CA;  Chicago, IL;  
Job Description:
Market research analysts study market conditions to examine potential sales of a product or service. They help companies understand what products people want, who will buy them, and at what price.

23. Human Resources Assistant

Starting Salary
$27,000
Job openings
40,408
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  Houston, TX;  Washington, DC;  
Job Description:
Information clerks perform routine clerical duties such as maintaining records, collecting data, and providing information to customers.

24. Human Resources Internship

Starting Salary
$25,000
Job openings
88,826
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  Chicago, IL;  Washington, DC;  
Job Description:
Information clerks perform routine clerical duties such as maintaining records, collecting data, and providing information to customers.

25. User Interaction Designer

Starting Salary
$59,000
Job openings
54,146
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  San Francisco, CA;  Chicago, IL;  
Job Description:
Web developers design and create websites. They are responsible for the look of the site. They are also responsible for the site’s technical aspects, such as its performance and capacity, which are measures of a website’s speed and how much traffic the site can handle. In addition, web developers may create content for the site.

26. Research And Development Internship

Starting Salary
$31,000
Job openings
154,854
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  Los Angeles, CA;  Washington, DC;  
Job Description:
Computer and information research scientists invent and design new approaches to computing technology and find innovative uses for existing technology. They study and solve complex problems in computing for business, medicine, science, and other fields.

27. Data Science Internship

Starting Salary
$24,000
Job openings
124,258
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  Washington, DC;  Chicago, IL;  
Job Description:
Market research analysts study market conditions to examine potential sales of a product or service. They help companies understand what products people want, who will buy them, and at what price.

28. Software Developer

Starting Salary
$67,000
Job openings
294,329
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  Austin, TX;  Houston, TX;  
Job Description:
Software developers are the creative minds behind computer programs. Some develop the applications that allow people to do specific tasks on a computer or another device. Others develop the underlying systems that run the devices or that control networks.

29. Scientist

Starting Salary
$67,000
Job openings
62,467
Top Locations:
San Diego, CA;  Cambridge, MA;  Houston, TX;  
Job Description:
Medical scientists conduct research aimed at improving overall human health. They often use clinical trials and other investigative methods to reach their findings.

30. Psychologist

Starting Salary
$68,000
Job openings
12,516
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  San Juan, PR;  Los Angeles, CA;  
Job Description:
Psychologists study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how people relate to one another and their environments.

31. Product Design Internship

Starting Salary
$55,000
Job openings
141,378
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  San Francisco, CA;  Chicago, IL;  
Job Description:
Industrial designers develop the concepts for manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and toys. They combine art, business, and engineering to make products that people use every day. Industrial designers consider the function, aesthetics, production costs, and the usability of products when developing new product concepts.

32. Laboratory Research Assistant

Starting Salary
$24,000
Job openings
87,343
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  Boston, MA;  Chicago, IL;  

33. Research Scientist

Starting Salary
$58,000
Job openings
93,013
Top Locations:
Seattle, WA;  New York, NY;  Houston, TX;  
Job Description:
Medical scientists conduct research aimed at improving overall human health. They often use clinical trials and other investigative methods to reach their findings.

34. Research Technician

Starting Salary
$31,000
Job openings
64,786
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  Boston, MA;  Austin, TX;  
Job Description:
Biological technicians help biological and medical scientists conduct laboratory tests and experiments.

35. Clinical Research Coordinator

Starting Salary
$37,000
Job openings
102,960
Top Locations:
Boston, MA;  New York, NY;  Philadelphia, PA;  
Job Description:
Natural sciences managers supervise the work of scientists, including chemists, physicists, and biologists. They direct activities related to research and development, and coordinate activities such as testing, quality control, and production.

36. Student Internship

Starting Salary
$21,000
Job openings
55,578
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  Chicago, IL;  Washington, DC;  
Job Description:
Teacher assistants work under a teacher’s supervision to give students additional attention and instruction.

37. Business Analyst

Starting Salary
$53,000
Job openings
170,514
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  Chicago, IL;  Houston, TX;  
Job Description:
A business analyst is someone who analyzes an organization or business domain (real or hypothetical) and documents its business or processes or systems, assessing the business model or its integration with technology.

38. Speech-Language Pathology Internship

Starting Salary
$41,000
Job openings
72,220
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  Baltimore, MD;  Dallas, TX;  
Job Description:
Speech-language pathologists (sometimes called speech therapists) assess, diagnose, treat, and help to prevent communication and swallowing disorders in patients. Speech, language, and swallowing disorders result from a variety of causes, such as a stroke, brain injury, hearing loss, developmental delay, Parkinson’s disease, a cleft palate or autism.

39. Project Coordinator

Starting Salary
$33,000
Job openings
38,743
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  Houston, TX;  Chicago, IL;  
Job Description:
A Project Coordinator runs, administers, and organizes all project activities in an organization. They also provide work direction to staff.

40. Clinical Research Assistant

Starting Salary
$29,000
Job openings
97,380
Top Locations:
Philadelphia, PA;  Boston, MA;  New York, NY;  
Job Description:
Natural sciences managers supervise the work of scientists, including chemists, physicists, and biologists. They direct activities related to research and development, and coordinate activities such as testing, quality control, and production.

41. Editor

Starting Salary
$34,000
Job openings
15,115
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  Los Angeles, CA;  Chicago, IL;  
Job Description:
Editors plan, review, and revise content for publication.

42. Pharmacist Technician

Starting Salary
$26,000
Job openings
73,800
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  Houston, TX;  Orlando, FL;  
Job Description:
Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists dispense prescription medication to customers or health professionals.

43. Office Administrator

Starting Salary
$28,000
Job openings
118,096
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  Houston, TX;  Chicago, IL;  
Job Description:
General office clerks perform a variety of clerical tasks, including answering telephones, typing documents, and filing records.

44. Junior Data Analyst

Starting Salary
$42,000
Job openings
125,589
Top Locations:
Washington, DC;  Chicago, IL;  New York, NY;  
Job Description:
Management analysts, often called management consultants, propose ways to improve the efficiency of an organization. They advise managers on how to make organizations more profitable through reduced costs and increased revenues.

45. Human Resources Generalist

Starting Salary
$41,000
Job openings
44,365
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  Houston, TX;  Atlanta, GA;  
Job Description:
Human resources specialists recruit, screen, interview, and place workers. They often handle other human resources work, such as those related to employee relations, compensation and benefits, and training.

46. Analyst Internship

Starting Salary
$28,000
Job openings
103,723
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  Washington, DC;  Chicago, IL;  
Job Description:
Financial analysts provide guidance to businesses and individuals making investment decisions. They assess the performance of stocks, bonds, and other types of investments.

47. Communications Coordinator

Starting Salary
$34,000
Job openings
39,790
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  Chicago, IL;  Washington, DC;  
Job Description:
Public relations specialists create and maintain a favorable public image for the organization they represent. They design media releases to shape public perception of their organization and to increase awareness of its work and goals.

48. Psychology Research Assistant

Starting Salary
$34,000
Job openings
48,891
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  Chicago, IL;  Boston, MA;  

49. Writer

Starting Salary
$40,000
Job openings
13,931
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  Los Angeles, CA;  Chicago, IL;  
Job Description:
Writers and authors develop written content for advertisements, books, magazines, movie and television scripts, songs, blogs, and other online publications.

50. Laboratory Internship

Starting Salary
$25,000
Job openings
90,970
Top Locations:
New York, NY;  Boston, MA;  San Diego, CA;  
Job Description:
Biological technicians help biological and medical scientists conduct laboratory tests and experiments.

What can you do with a Cognitive Science Degree?

If you are trying to figure out which career path to follow with your major, then the following career path map might be useful to you. We have compiled a list of careers that are available for cognitive science majors and put them into a career path map. The map contains some of the most sought after careers for cognitive science majors as well as some less typical careers for you to pursue with a cognitive science degree.

Cognitive Science

Cognitive Science Major Jobs

Average Salary For Cognitive Science Major Jobs

Depending on the industry that cognitive science majors work in, their salaries can vary significantly. In fact, we found that cognitive science majors who work in the health care industry have an average salary of $108,811, while those who work in the education industry have an average salary of $62,852. If salary is the most important thing to you, then you should look for jobs in the health care industry.

Average Salary By Industry

RankIndustryAverage Cognitive Science Salary Cognitive Science Salary Range
1Health Care
$108,811
$79k
$135k
2Start-up
$104,109
$79k
$135k
3Technology
$98,073
$79k
$135k
4Professional
$94,057
$79k
$135k
5Transportation
$92,091
$79k
$135k

Entry Level Jobs For Cognitive Science Majors

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Cognitive Science Internships

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Updated July 15, 2020