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Social scientist vs psychologist

The differences between social scientists and psychologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a psychologist has an average salary of $97,803, which is higher than the $71,150 average annual salary of a social scientist.

The top three skills for a social scientist include statistical analysis, data collection and social science research. The most important skills for a psychologist are patients, crisis intervention, and rehabilitation.

Social scientist vs psychologist overview

Social ScientistPsychologist
Yearly salary$71,150$97,803
Hourly rate$34.21$47.02
Growth rate17%6%
Number of jobs73,79612,516
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4147
Years of experience--

What does a social scientist do?

A social scientist conducts studies and spearheads research projects that focus on society and human behavior. Although the extent of their responsibilities varies upon their industry or institution of employment, it usually includes planning procedures according to research requirements, identifying and coordinating with research subjects, conducting surveys and interviews, and gathering and analyzing various data. Through the findings of their research, a social scientist generates conclusions and recommendations that will determine or support future efforts. When it comes to employment, a social scientist may work for government agencies, private companies, facilities, or even become an instructor at learning institutions.

What does a psychologist do?

Sales managers are responsible for leading the organization's sales team. They oversee the progress and performance of the whole team, set area assignments to team members, and set weekly or monthly quotas. Sales managers oversee training team members during onboarding and providing further coaching to help them achieve their goals. They manage the challenges that team members may meet and help mitigate any problems that come along the way. Sales managers also set the strategic direction of the sales team and follow through by ensuring that the team's activities are in line with the goals.

Social scientist vs psychologist salary

Social scientists and psychologists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Social ScientistPsychologist
Average salary$71,150$97,803
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $116,000Between $68,000 And $139,000
Highest paying CityArlington, VASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateMaineCalifornia
Best paying companyBooz Allen HamiltonSierra Corporation
Best paying industryGovernmentHealth Care

Differences between social scientist and psychologist education

There are a few differences between a social scientist and a psychologist in terms of educational background:

Social ScientistPsychologist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorAnthropologyPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of Maryland - College ParkNorthwestern University

Social scientist vs psychologist demographics

Here are the differences between social scientists' and psychologists' demographics:

Social ScientistPsychologist
Average age4147
Gender ratioMale, 61.9% Female, 38.1%Male, 35.2% Female, 64.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.8% Unknown, 6.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 7.8% White, 63.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 4.2% White, 75.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage11%20%

Differences between social scientist and psychologist duties and responsibilities

Social scientist example responsibilities.

  • Manage process optimization, scale-up, technology transfer and validation of SUSTIVA (TM) product-line to manufacturing facility.
  • Lead people-focused research for first-of-its-kind technical project integrating GIS, scientific, and qualitative data.
  • Develop and manage third party claim investigations and contractor remedial oversight for various insurance companies.
  • Advise on providing grants to businesses and infrastructure.
  • Represent the PRT commander at regional female shuras.
  • Provide ethnic, language and cultural expertise to PRT constituents.
  • Show more

Psychologist example responsibilities.

  • Supervise mental health staff, including the overseeing of the provision of mental health services in a correctional facility.
  • Provide EMDR therapy for clients with trauma and anxiety.
  • Perform tests to diagnose autism in children or tests for the detection of autism at an early age.
  • Provide supervision and mentoring for APA Pre-Doctoral interns.
  • Supervise clinical activities of doctoral level psychology interns in APA accredit internship program.
  • Evaluate veterans for psychological disorders that may have resulted secondary to their military service for compensation purposes.
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Social scientist vs psychologist skills

Common social scientist skills
  • Statistical Analysis, 26%
  • Data Collection, 14%
  • Social Science Research, 13%
  • Data Analysis, 11%
  • Communicate Research Findings, 10%
  • Quantitative Data, 9%
Common psychologist skills
  • Patients, 18%
  • Crisis Intervention, 7%
  • Rehabilitation, 6%
  • Mental Illness, 5%
  • Clinical Supervision, 5%
  • APA, 4%

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