Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Social scientists and related workers, all other, represent a specialized career path for professionals interested in research, analysis, and understanding complex social issues. Nationally, there are about 41,000 workers in this field, indicating a relatively focused occupation. The national median annual salary of $100,340 places this role in a strong earning range. While projected employment growth is -1.7%, the occupation still has an estimated 3,000 annual openings, reflecting ongoing turnover and hiring needs. The role calls for a mix of communication, analytical, interpersonal, and technical strengths, supported by a typical education level of a bachelor’s degree. For students and career changers, this field can appeal to those who enjoy critical and analytical thinking, problem solving, and applying creativity and innovation to social questions. Professionals already working in related areas may find this occupation offers opportunities to leverage advanced writing, speaking, and technology skills to build a specialized career.
Social scientists and related workers, all other, earn a national median annual salary of $100,340, which indicates strong earning potential. Salaries vary across states and metro areas. Among top states, median salaries range from $97,900 in California to $105,640 in Massachusetts and $105,390 in Colorado. New York and Washington also offer six-figure median salaries of $104,770 and $102,920, respectively. At the metro level, pay ranges even more: the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area stands out with a median salary of $138,250, while other leading metros like New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH offer medians of $107,170 and $105,670. Even the lowest median listed among top metros, $92,060 in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, remains relatively high. Overall, the income profile suggests this career can support solid long-term financial prospects.
Employment for social scientists and related workers, all other, stands at about 41,000 nationally. Projected employment growth is -1.7%, indicating a small decline in overall job numbers over the projection period. However, there are still an estimated 3,000 annual openings. This combination suggests that while total employment may edge downward, positions continue to open due to factors such as retirements and job changes. The -1.7% growth rate appears consistently across top states and metro areas, so the general outlook is similar in the leading regions highlighted. For job seekers, this means the market may be competitive, but ongoing openings should still provide pathways into the field. Candidates who align well with the skill profile—especially strong writing and reading, speaking and listening, analytical thinking, and technology skills—may be better positioned to compete for available roles despite the modest projected contraction.
Location can significantly shape opportunities for social scientists and related workers, all other. At the state level, California, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Washington rank highest by CareerGPS opportunity score. California offers the largest employment among these at 2,970 with a median salary of $97,900, while New York has 3,410 employed and a median salary of $104,770. Massachusetts and Colorado have smaller employment levels—820 and 790 respectively—but slightly higher median salaries just above $105,000. Washington balances 1,160 employed with a median salary of $102,920. Among metros, the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA areas hold the top opportunity scores, 77.27 and 77.42, with New York also offering a median salary of $107,170 and 2,700 employed. The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro stands out for its high median salary of $138,250 and sizeable employment of 6,220, even with a slightly lower opportunity score than New York and San Jose.
The typical education level for social scientists and related workers, all other, is a bachelor’s degree. This means most people entering the field start with undergraduate-level preparation rather than advanced graduate credentials as a standard requirement. However, success in this career depends heavily on a broad and integrated skill set. Key skills include strong writing and reading abilities, along with effective speaking and listening for communication. Critical and analytical thinking, problem solving, and decision making are central to the role, as are creativity and innovation. Mathematics, leadership, and comfort with computers and information technology round out the technical and organizational side of the skill profile. Students and career changers considering this path can use the listed skills as a guide when choosing programs, courses, or training experiences to build a competitive background that aligns with the expectations of employers in this occupation.
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