Social Scientist Projected Growth In The United States
Research Summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
Salaries have increased 13% for social scientists in the last 5 years
Projected job growth for social scientists is 8% from 2018-2028
There are over 13,651 social scientists currently employed in the United States
There are 73,796 active social scientist job openings in the US based on job postings
The average salary for a social scientist is $71,150
Are Social Scientist Jobs In Demand?
Yes, social scientist jobs are in demand. The job market for analysts is projected to grow 8% from 2018 to 2028.
Social Scientist Job and Salary Trends Over Time
Social Scientist Jobs Over Time
Social Scientist Job Growth Over Time
| Year | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 12,423 | 0.00% |
| 2013 | 12,707 | 0.00% |
| 2014 | 12,971 | 0.00% |
| 2015 | 13,842 | 0.00% |
| 2016 | 14,741 | 0.00% |
Average Social Scientist Accountant Salary Over Time
Social Scientist Salary By Year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | $51,084 | $24.56 | - |
| 2009 | $52,934 | $25.45 | +3.6% |
| 2010 | $54,794 | $26.34 | +3.5% |
| 2011 | $56,033 | $26.94 | +2.3% |
| 2012 | $56,962 | $27.39 | +1.7% |
Number Of Social Scientists By State
Mouse over a state to see the number of active social scientist jobs in each state. The darker areas on the map show where social scientists earn the highest salaries across all 50 states.
Most Common States For Social Scientists
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delaware | 961,939 | 206 | 21% |
| 2 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1244 | 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 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 110 | 16% |
| 9 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 172 | 16% |
| 10 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 95 | 16% |
| 11 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1280 | 15% |
| 12 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 154 | 15% |
| 13 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1284 | 14% |
| 14 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 282 | 14% |
| 15 | Alaska | 739,795 | 103 | 14% |
| 16 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 226 | 13% |
| 17 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 922 | 13% |
| 18 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 404 | 13% |
| 19 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 441 | 12% |
| 20 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 482 | 12% |
Most Common Cities For Social Scientists In The US
| 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 |
Experts Weigh In On Social Scientist Job Outlook
We spoke to professors and experts from several universities and companies to get their opinions on where the job market for recent graduates is heading, as well as how young graduates entering the industry can be adequately prepared. Here are their thoughts.
Our Panel of Experts
Vanguard University of Southern California
Caldwell University
Hawai'i Pacific University
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.
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.