Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for social scientists in the United States
Social scientist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected social scientist job growth rate is 17% from 2018-2028.
About 20,800 new jobs for social scientists are projected over the next decade.
Social scientist salaries have increased 13% for social scientists in the last 5 years.
There are over 13,911 social scientists currently employed in the United States.
There are 73,796 active social scientist job openings in the US.
The average social scientist salary is $71,150.
Are social scientist jobs in demand?
Social scientist job and salary trends over time
Social scientist jobs over time
Social scientist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 13,911 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 14,008 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 13,651 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 14,397 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 14,381 | 0.00% |
Average social scientist salary over time
Social scientist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $71,150 | $34.21 | +4.7% |
| 2024 | $67,946 | $32.67 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $66,323 | $31.89 | +2.5% |
| 2022 | $64,717 | $31.11 | +3.1% |
| 2021 | $62,801 | $30.19 | +0.8% |
Social scientist jobs by state
Most common states for social scientists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,244 | 21% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 206 | 21% |
| 3 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 174 | 20% |
| 4 | Vermont | 623,657 | 119 | 19% |
| 5 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 238 | 18% |
| 6 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 134 | 18% |
| 7 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 228 | 17% |
| 8 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 172 | 16% |
| 9 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 110 | 16% |
| 10 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 95 | 16% |
| 11 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,280 | 15% |
| 12 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 154 | 15% |
| 13 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,284 | 14% |
| 14 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 282 | 14% |
| 15 | Alaska | 739,795 | 103 | 14% |
| 16 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 922 | 13% |
| 17 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 404 | 13% |
| 18 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 226 | 13% |
| 19 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 482 | 12% |
| 20 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 441 | 12% |
Most common cities for social scientists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fairfax | 1 | 4% | $98,850 |
| 2 | Silver Spring | 1 | 1% | $74,781 |
| 3 | Chicago | 2 | 0% | $59,383 |
Social Scientist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of social scientist experts
Washington State University
Albion College
Eastern Oregon University
Quinnipiac University
Vanguard University of Southern California
Caldwell University
The College of New Jersey
Tiffin University
Boise State University
Hawai'i Pacific University
What will help Social Scientists increase their earning potential?
Lindsey du Toit: Take every opportunity you can to learn, network, and build an effective team of people that bring a greater breadth and depth of skills and expertise to the work on which you will be focusing. Cultivate a life-long sense of intellectual curiosity and learning. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Treat ignorance as an opportunity to learn. Questions demonstrate you want to understand the situation/problem effectively and that you are paying attention. Always demonstrate integrity in your work. It is one of the most valuable traits you can bring to your career. Be kind and supportive of your colleagues.
What will help Social Scientists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Andrea Francis: Understanding how to extract, interpret, and communicate meaning from large amounts of data about human behavior is increasingly important as this data becomes easier to collect through digital technologies. Social scientists are essential because they can help others make sense of data and then use that data to help communities, businesses, and other systems make objective research-based improvements to the system.
What general advice would you give to a Social Scientist?
Aaron Thornburg: 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.
What Social Scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Aaron Thornburg: Like in many fields, I think particular kinds of computer skills are going to become more important and relevant in Social Science careers. Data analytics and, perhaps particularly, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) skills are immensely useful in a wide range of Social Science-related fields. Whether you are recording the locations of finds in archaeological sites or other cultural resources, doing needs assessments for human services, or assessing epidemiologic data as a medical anthropologist/sociologist, these skills are extremely useful, even necessary.
What will help Social Scientists increase their earning potential?
Aaron Thornburg: My advice would be to think in the long term. The emphasis can be on getting *a* job, and maybe one that pays more than any of the others on offer, but I would suggest that you try to be more thoughtful and strategic. Think about what you really want to do, and what you want to be doing in five, ten, or fifteen years. It's great, and useful, to get that first job that helps you to pay down some debt while gaining useful experience. But, it's ideal if the job has a clear pathway to your ultimate goal, or if it will help you get into the training or graduate program that will allow you to take on the roles you want in the future.
Lisa Cuchara Ph.D.
Professor of Biomedical SciencesQuinnipiac University
Microbiological Sciences And Immunology
What Social Scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Lisa Cuchara Ph.D.: The first and foremost would be Critical Thinking. We live in a world where facts can be easily acquired, sometimes even by asking Siri/Alexa/ChatGPT/Google/etc. But critical thinking is timeless and priceless. I can ask anyone on the street what xyz is and they can look it up, but can they provide advice or interpret.
Also being a good steward towards science and being willing and able to communicate not just with peers as we are trained, but also with the public, the politicians, the board members. John Holdren*, stated that Scientists should be tithing at least 10 percent of their time to public service ... including activism. In the ever growing science denialism that is happening in our country being able to communicate science with the public is important. As Peter Hotaz states, "Anti-science propaganda is "killing Americans in unprecedented numbers,""
*Holdren is an American scientist who served as the senior advisor to President Barack Obama on science and technology issues through his roles as assistant to the president for science and technology, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and co-chair of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology and a Research Professor in Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government
Kristen Lashua
Chair, Department of History and Political Science, Associate Professor of HistoryVanguard University of Southern California
Department of History and Political Science
What skills stand out on Social Scientist resumes?
Kristen Lashua: Students who major in the social sciences have excellent skills that are widely applicable, such as critical thinking, research, analysis, problem-solving, and communication.
What soft skills should all Social Scientists possess?
Kristen Lashua: Soft skills that stand out for social science majors are critical thinking and problem-solving. Their studies have focused on how and why people think and act the way they do, whether on the individual level (psychology and history) or in groups (sociology, political science, anthropology, and history). They are therefore well-suited for positions that require working with people and keeping organizational health strong.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Social Scientists?
Kristen Lashua: Social science majors have a number of hard skills, including research, analysis (often, this includes quantitative and qualitative analysis), and written and oral communication.
What skills will help Social Scientists earn the most?
Kristen Lashua: We have recently been emphasizing quantitative analysis as it is in increasing demand among a variety of fields. Really, though, I believe that critical thinking, research, and analysis are the key skills here. It prepares our majors for success no matter what field they choose, whether it be education, law, business, government work, or more.
Sara Tedrick Parikh Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Faculty, Psychology and CounselingCaldwell University
School of Psychology and Counseling
What skills stand out on Social Scientist resumes?
Sara Tedrick Parikh Ph.D.: -Part of what sets Social Scientists apart is our ability to take in, process, analyze, apply, and act on new information. Highlight ways that you have used these skills in class, especially any service-learning experiences or in internships and jobs.
-Social Scientists are trained to understand, predict, and interact with other people, and every business in the world involves interacting with people!
-Many social scientists have work experience as babysitters, camp counselors, tutors, or resident assistants. These jobs use many communication, empathy, and management skills that could be relevant to jobs such as case managers or group home assistants. To really capitalize on these widely applicable experiences, tailor your resume for each job you apply for. Identify key skills by carefully analyzing the job ad and looking up descriptions of similar positions, then think carefully about how your paid and unpaid experiences have prepared you for the position.
-Remember that your resume is used to get you the interview, where you can talk in more detail about skills and experiences relevant to the job. Do not feel pressured to fit everything relevant into the resume, but have someone else read the resume and job ad side-by-side to see if you have clearly made your case.
What soft skills should all Social Scientists possess?
Sara Tedrick Parikh Ph.D.: -I am convinced that listening and interpersonal skills get people very far in the work world. Much of business disputes come down to listening, perspective-taking, and clear communication. Communicating is an interactive practice that involves noticing when the other person understands or does not understand the point you are trying to make.
-My personal backup plan if the whole "I have a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology" thing doesn't work out for me is to go for a realtor's license. I live in a competitive housing market (northern New Jersey), and it took us several years of looking to buy a house. In that time, we interacted with many agents who glossed over what we told them. It made such a difference when we found someone who really listened to us and communicated clearly! I recommend her every chance I get, and it really showed me how listening and communication are essential for any environment. I know that, with this skill set, I can be successful in a variety of fields.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Social Scientists?
Sara Tedrick Parikh Ph.D.: -Companies are often looking for entry-level employees to bring knowledge of technology. Most organizations expect a strong working knowledge of Microsoft suites (e.g., Outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint) and appreciate familiarity with graphic design, web design and editing, video, and podcast editing, and social media presence.
-Research and assessment are so essential to Social Scientists that it's easy for me to forget it's not universal. We understand how to break down and analyze a problem in ways that most other fields do not. Even being able to thoughtfully build and interpret internal employee surveys may be highly prized by your employer, especially if you work outside of a typical Social Science field. Being able to work with Institutional Review Boards, select empirically validated scales, and do descriptive and interpretive data analysis might make you the local rock star or even open up job opportunities in high-paying industries.
What skills will help Social Scientists earn the most?
Sara Tedrick Parikh Ph.D.: -Technology skills, including web and social media skills, give you the edge of being the "fixer" in the organization, which can help you negotiate raises and promotions.
-Employees who can effectively balance seeking out information for themselves with seeking support as needed are more likely to advance. I've heard managers complain that, compared to previous cohorts, new graduates were less skilled at developing their own processes and were more likely to ask for templates or examples for basic tasks. To help students build these skills at "figuring it out," I build my courses with detailed support and templates when students first start, then more general instructions as they build experience.
-Research skills can help you qualify for positions outside traditional social science areas.
-Blending social science with natural sciences, such as getting a minor in neuroscience or a double major in psychology and biology, can open high-paying career paths.
-Two of the best skills for high earnings (or any other job requirement, such as flexible work hours or desirable location) are open-mindedness and investigation while applying for jobs. Talk to a few dozen people about your interests and skills, and ask them what kind of roles your interests remind them of in their field. Use loose ties, like your old roommate's aunty, that professor in another field, or that person your old supervisor said they could put you in touch with. Remember, everyone with a job was once on the market, and most people are extremely willing to help you understand your options and perhaps even put you in touch with someone. Be sure to thank people for their time, both at the end of the conversation and in a follow-up email (or a hand-written note if you want to get fancy). Shakespeare's Hamlet said, "There are more things in heaven and Earth, Horatio, / Than are dreamt of in your philosophy," and the same is true of career opportunities.
Janet Gray Ph.D.
Professor and Department ChairThe College of New Jersey
Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Social Scientists in the next 5 years?
Janet Gray Ph.D.: I think an increase, though not dramatic. WGSS majors graduate with a capacity to analyze and strategize about a wide range of social justice issues, including racial justice, LGBTQ rights, immigration rights, and disability rights, in addition to gender equity. Very few employers require a degree specifically in WGSS. Still, many employers value the skills students gain through their major, and I would expect social justice skills to be increasingly in demand across employment sectors in the coming years. Most WGSS majors take second majors as well, and their combined majors give them an edge in a broad range of fields--including mental health, public health, law, education, politics, business, and government.
Sami Mejri Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Science, Assistant Dean, Graduate ProgramsTiffin University
School of Arts & Sciences
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Social Scientists to find work opportunities?
Sami Mejri Ph.D.: With the rising cost of living, a college graduate's ideal first job may not be in their home state or favorite vacation town. According to Business Insider, MidWestern cities like Columbus-Ohio, Cincinnati-Ohio, Madison-Wisconsin, Milwaukee-Wisconsin, and Indianapolis-Indiana were some of the best geographical areas to live for college graduates. The cost of living in these Midwestern states remains relatively lower than coastal areas, making these locations ideal for college graduates entering the workforce. However, college graduates with degrees in healthcare, computer science, and data analytics may not be limited to these geographical areas, given employers' incentives to these in-demand jobs.
What general advice would you give to a Social Scientist?
Dr. Arthur Scarritt: Skills at understanding interpersonal relations, how people engage and relate to each other, will only become more and more important. These are the truly robot-proof skills. As Large Language Models - LLM or what people are calling AI - may make mechanistic jobs like coding increasingly obsolete, the human element is only going to become more central and important. This is true for developing such tools as well as for how society decides to use them - the processes behind deciding how these will enhance and take away from our wellbeing. But beyond issues of AI, engaging the intersection of human interaction and knowledge, how to successfully navigate and act creatively amidst the constant barrage of information will prove increasingly invaluable. Issues central to society, business, and government will all need people with skills at critically managing and processing large amounts of information, including skills in how to work in complex and highly diverse organizations.
What Social Scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Arthur Scarritt: Follow your passions! More and more research indicates that doing what we like doing makes us much more successful in our lives and careers. This includes issues of mental health, where students giving up what they want to do for what they think they should do causes great distress. In contrast, people pursuing what they are truly interested in generates wellbeing in all aspects of life. While people think they are giving up their passions for need of income, research increasingly demonstrates that pursuing passions is also much more economically stable.
What will help Social Scientists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Arthur Scarritt: Again, the key is to follow your passions. The social sciences provide you with the core skills for a huge variety of fields. At the center of this is the skill of learning how to learn. The keys are to engage in processes of continuous learning, and of successfully illustrating your knowledge and understanding to others. Even the most specialized fields requires new employees to continuously learn on the job and to engage meaningfully and substantively with others. When we like what we do, we are eager to keep learning and to think through emerging successful strategies.
Halaevalu Ofahengaue Vakalahi
Dean and ProfessorHawai'i Pacific University
College of Health & Society
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Social Scientists?
Halaevalu Ofahengaue Vakalahi: Yes, both challenges and opportunities. The pandemic brought about bio-psych-social-spiritual challenges, at an interesting level, and at the same time, it offered opportunities for innovation, creativity, solidarity in navigating school, work, and home. These graduates are stronger, and some probably didn't realize how brilliant they were until COVID hit.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Social Scientists to find work opportunities?
Halaevalu Ofahengaue Vakalahi: The aftermath of COVID, and the recovery phase, will yield increased employment opportunities in social work across the country and the globe. Social work is a rich and broad field, as our curriculum educates students in practice, policy, research, theory, and the signature pedagogy of field education/practicum. You can't go wrong with that span of the knowledge base. It is a versatile degree for any career of interest.
How do you envision technology impacting Social Scientists in the next 5 years?
Halaevalu Ofahengaue Vakalahi: Social work has already leveraged technology, working with people across the lifespan, from children to older adults. Social work education is being delivered online and virtually. Social work practice has been done through technology-mediated mechanisms. In Social Work, technology is a medium for access to education and services.