Social Scientist
A social scientist is a professional dedicated to studying the intricate dynamics of society, which includes examining relationships among groups, governance, economics, and cultural norms. They specialize in various fields such as anthropology, sociology, psychology, political science, and urban planning. The work of social scientists is typically divided into academic and applied roles; academic social scientists often engage in teaching and conducting research, while applied social scientists may work in government agencies, social service organizations, or private sectors, interacting directly with clients and stakeholders.
With a median yearly salary of approximately $95,890, social scientists are expected to experience faster-than-average job growth in the coming years. Their duties can vary widely, ranging from conducting fieldwork and data analysis to teaching and publishing research findings. Individuals pursuing this career generally require advanced degrees and possess strong analytical, leadership, and project management skills. The profession attracts those who are intellectually curious and passionate about addressing social issues through research and community engagement. Overall, social scientists play a crucial role in enhancing our understanding of societal complexities and contributing to informed decision-making processes.
Social Scientist
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Human Services
Interests: Archaeology, sociology, government, urban and regional planning, research, data collection and analysis
Earnings (Yearly Median): $95,890 annual $46.10 per hour
Employment & Outlook: Faster than Average Growth Expected
Overview
Sphere of Work. Social scientists study all facets of society—relationships between groups, group decision-making processes, governance, economics, beliefs, norms, and values; human interaction with the natural environment; physical constructs; cultural differences; historical documentation and record keeping; and the archaeological record. Social scientists tend to be specialists rather than generalists. Areas of specialization include anthropology, archaeology, economics, sociology, psychology, political science, urban and regional planning, geography, and history. Social scientists generally work in either an academic or applied role.
Work Environment. Social scientists in academic settings such as colleges and universities generally spend most of their time in classrooms, libraries, and offices. Department interaction and meetings will be frequent. Academic social scientists usually perform research, including library research and fieldwork, as a requirement of their employment and eventual tenure. Applied social scientists working in non-academic settings, such as government offices, social service agencies, foundations, hospitals, museums, non-government organizations, and businesses, will interact with clients, patients, vendors, or community stakeholders. Applied social scientists work in both full-time and contract positions.
Occupation Interest. Individuals drawn to the social science profession are intellectually curious people who can gather information through research and synthesize their findings into ideas, theories, and even solutions for social problems. Social scientists generally attend school through the master’s or doctoral levels. Due to the rigorous academic requirements, individuals considering becoming social scientists should enjoy academics and the thoughtful exchange of ideas. Those who succeed in the social sciences display leadership, initiative, analytical thinking, scientific reasoning, project management, and interest in and concern for society.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. Occupational duties and responsibilities of social scientists might include teaching and lecturing, gathering and analyzing data, performing fieldwork, conducting interviews, curating a museum exhibit, preparing press releases or meeting with media, grant writing, preparing manuscripts for publication, troubleshooting or problem-solving, and meeting with patients, clients, or stakeholders. As social science encompasses a wide range of occupations, specific daily duties and responsibilities vary based on a person’s chosen field and the hiring organization.
Academic social scientists have daily teaching responsibilities. Teaching responsibilities encompass lecture preparation, test preparation, grading, and office hours. Department responsibilities, research, and publishing obligations are also ever-present in the lives of academic social scientists. Academic social scientists tend to be independent workers with little direct daily supervision and oversight.
Applied social scientists, including intelligence officers, researchers and research analysts, social workers, psychologists, foreign affairs officers, urban and regional planners, health insurance administrators, and archaeologists, working in the private sector or government agencies tend to have more direct daily supervision than academic social scientists. Government agencies actively employing full-time social scientists include the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, the Department of Justice, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of State, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Agriculture.
Economists (19-3011.00). Economists study the way people allocate resources for products and services and develop theories about such problems as unemployment and inflation.
Geographers (19-3092.00). Geographers study the relationship between people and the environment from political, economic, physical, urban, or medical points of view.
Historians (19-3093.00). Historians study the past, specializing in an era, a region, or a field such as social, intellectual, political, or diplomatic history.
Political Scientists (19-3094.00). Political scientists study the organization, use, and distribution of power, including opinion, ideology, and decisions.
Social Psychologists. Social psychologists examine people’s interactions with others and with the social environment.
Clinical Psychologists (19-3031.02). Clinical psychologists help the emotionally disturbed adjust to life through individual and group therapy.
Sociologists (19-3041.00). Sociologists study the behavior of groups, including neighborhoods, clubs, and families.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Social scientists working in academic settings generally work full-time hours teaching and attending to departmental responsibilities such as grading and mentoring students. Fieldwork necessary for social science research and performed as a condition of eventual tenure may take social scientists to foreign locations with significant cultural, language, and environmental differences and challenges. Applied social scientists working in non-academic settings, such as government offices, social service agencies, foundations, hospitals, museums, non-government organizations, and businesses, generally work full-time hours but can anticipate work outside of the traditional workday if meeting with the public is necessary.
Human Environment. Social scientists generally interact with diverse groups of people as a condition of their work. Academic social scientists will generally deal with students from a range of backgrounds. Applied social scientists must be comfortable interacting with people from a wide range of ethnic, socioeconomic, and educational backgrounds.
Technological Environment. Social scientists usually use computers and telecommunication tools during their academic training and eventual employment. Specialized technological training is common for social scientists. For example, political scientists studying polls and voting behavior will likely seek training in polling machine operations and technology, while geographers often seek training in global positioning systems (GPS) and mapping software. Technological aptitude will be dependent on the field of work.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students interested in pursuing a career in the social sciences should prepare themselves by developing good study habits. High school-level study of foreign languages, sociology, anthropology, history, geography, and political science will provide a strong foundation for college-level work in the social sciences. Due to the diversity of social science specialties, high school students interested in this career path will benefit from seeking internships or part-time work that exposes the students to diverse cultures, languages, and beliefs.
Postsecondary. Postsecondary students interested in pursuing a career in the social sciences will benefit from taking courses related to their area of interest. Students should consider the range of disciplines that might have an impact on their chosen field, including foreign languages, economics, statistics, sociology, anthropology, history, psychology, behavioral science, environmental science, geography, and political science. While postsecondary students do not need to choose a social science specialty during their college years, internships and part-time work can offer postsecondary students the opportunity to learn more about social science specialties prior to entering a graduate school program. Before graduation, postsecondary students interested in pursuing a career in the social sciences should apply to graduate school in their chosen social science specialty or pursue social science-related work opportunities such as a research assistant or museum educator.
Related Occupations
Bibliography
“Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations.” Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/home.htm. Accessed 27 Aug. 2024.
“Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022: 19-3099 Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other.” Occupational Employment Statistics. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 3 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes193099.htm. Accessed 26 Aug. 2024.