Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other

People in this career family work in diverse roles, including behavioral scientists, computational linguists, demographers, and forensic psychologists. Their day-to-day activities depend on their specialization, but they generally focus on researching human interactions, language development, or societal trends.

Success in this field requires strong analytical skills, critical thinking, and an investigative nature. These professionals must be comfortable working with complex data, writing detailed research reports, and collaborating with other scientists or policy makers. They often apply their knowledge to solve practical problems in communities, government agencies, or private organizations.

To enter this field, candidates typically need at least a bachelor's degree. Relevant college majors that prepare students for these roles include social sciences, human development and family studies, public policy analysis, and sustainability studies. Other related fields of study include gerontology, environmental policy, and linguistic studies.

Depending on the specific job title and location, some professionals may need additional credentials. Some states list licensing requirements for certain types of work within this broad category.

The median annual pay for these social scientists is $101,110. The lowest 10 percent of earners in this field make less than $66,120, while the highest 10 percent earn more than $160,300.

There are 37,100 people employed in this occupation. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to experience little or no change, with a slight decline of -0.2 percent. Despite this flat growth, about 2,700 job openings are expected to become available each year.