How To Become A Social Sciences Research Scientist: What It Is and Career Path

What is a social sciences research scientist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted expert

Aaron Thornburg

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a social sciences research scientist. For example, did you know that they make an average of $34.6 an hour? That's $71,977 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 17% and produce 20,800 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a social sciences research scientist?

Aaron Thornburg

Associate Professor of Anthropology, Eastern Oregon University

The route to maximizing your salary potential in Social Science careers, or any other type of career, is in gaining the concrete skills and experience in the practice of the particular career position for which you are applying. Want to be an Archaeologist? Then, try to get real-life archaeological work experience (https://shovelbums.org/index.php/2015-02-23-16-25-08/current-jobs). Want to work in museums and heritage? Then, apply for a (paid) internship in the field (https://americananthro.org/learn-teach/louise-lamphere-internship/). Want to work in academic publishing? Then, get applied skills in proofreading/editing by working for your school's undergraduate research publication (https://www.eou.edu/scijou/). Nothing is more attractive to an employer than a candidate who already has experience in the role that they would be taking on.

ScoreSocial Sciences Research ScientistUS Average

Salary

5.6

Avg. Salary $71,977

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

Growth rate 17%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.09%

Asian 8.25%

Black or African American 5.80%

Hispanic or Latino 14.73%

Unknown 6.44%

White 63.70%

Gender

female 50.85%

male 49.15%

Age - 40

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 40

Key steps to become a social sciences research scientist

Explore social sciences research scientist education requirements

Most common social sciences research scientist degrees

Bachelor's

64.6 %

Master's

20.8 %

Doctorate

6.3 %

Start to develop specific social sciences research scientist skills

Skills	Percentages
Data Collection	37.32%
Market Research	18.72%
Research Projects	13.44%
Literature Reviews	11.31%
GIS	9.13%

Research social sciences research scientist duties and responsibilities

Manage the development of innovative visualization and concept mapping of contest environment analysis challenges and analyst skill sets.
Develop the camera take detection service via java and integrate it into an automatic video object annotation system utilizing social cues.
Design and standardize various in vitro screening assays for inflammation targets.

Prepare your social sciences research scientist resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your social sciences research scientist resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a social sciences research scientist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable social sciences research scientist resume templates

Build a professional social sciences research scientist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your social sciences research scientist resume.

Apply for social sciences research scientist jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a social sciences research scientist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

Average social sciences research scientist salary

The average social sciences research scientist salary in the United States is $71,977 per year or $35 per hour. Social sciences research scientist salaries range between $42,000 and $122,000 per year.

Average social sciences research scientist salary

$71,977 Yearly

$34.60 hourly

What is a social sciences research scientist and how to become one

What general advice would you give to a social sciences research scientist?

Key steps to become a social sciences research scientist

Explore social sciences research scientist education requirements

Most common social sciences research scientist degrees

Start to develop specific social sciences research scientist skills

Research social sciences research scientist duties and responsibilities

Prepare your social sciences research scientist resume

Choose from 10+ customizable social sciences research scientist resume templates

Apply for social sciences research scientist jobs

How did you land your first social sciences research scientist job

Average social sciences research scientist salary

How do social sciences research scientists rate their job?