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The differences between social scientists and scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a scientist has an average salary of $97,344, 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 scientist are chemistry, data analysis, and patients.
| Social Scientist | Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $71,150 | $97,344 |
| Hourly rate | $34.21 | $46.80 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 73,796 | 62,467 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
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.
A scientist is responsible for researching and analyzing the nature and complexities of the physical world to identify discoveries that would improve people's lives and ignite scientific knowledge for society. Scientists' duties differ in their different areas of expertise, but all of them must have a broad comprehension of scientific disciplines and methods to support their experiments and investigations. They collect the sample for their research, record findings, create research proposals, and release publications. A scientist must know how to utilize laboratory equipment to support the study and drive results efficiently and accurately.
Social scientists and scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Social Scientist | Scientist | |
| Average salary | $71,150 | $97,344 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $116,000 | Between $67,000 And $140,000 |
| Highest paying City | Arlington, VA | Redwood City, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maine | California |
| Best paying company | Booz Allen Hamilton | Airbnb |
| Best paying industry | Government | Technology |
There are a few differences between a social scientist and a scientist in terms of educational background:
| Social Scientist | Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Most common major | Anthropology | Chemistry |
| Most common college | University of Maryland - College Park | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between social scientists' and scientists' demographics:
| Social Scientist | Scientist | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 61.9% Female, 38.1% | Male, 56.9% Female, 43.1% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 6.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 26.3% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |