Florida·Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations·SOC 19-3099

Best Social Scientist programs in Florida, ranked by enrollment

All social scientists and related workers not listed.

26 schools in Florida run programs that feed this job, graduating 1,046 people a year. The job pays a median of $83,460 in Florida across about 1,740 jobs (BLS OEWS May 2025).

Also calledPlannerProgram OfficerTransportation PlannerTransportation Data Programs ManagerLinguistDemographerEthnologistEtymologist
Graduates / yr
1,046
in Florida
Median pay · Florida
$83,460
BLS OEWS May 2025
Jobs in state
1,740
people employed
Schools
26
with a feeder program
Avg graduation rate
59%
across those schools
Median net price
$29,915
per year, IPEDS

Fields of study in Florida that lead to this job

Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level. Numbers are graduates per year in this state.

Social Sciences
CIP 45.01
Social Sciences
498graduates / yr
8 schools · 2 specializations · 47.6% of pipeline
Grad earnings $35,590
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.33
Sustainability Studies
255graduates / yr
11 schools · 1 specialization · 24.4% of pipeline
Grad earnings $37,223
Education
CIP 13.06
Educational Assessment
131graduates / yr
4 schools · 3 specializations · 12.6% of pipeline
Grad earnings $33,086
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.44
Geography and Environmental Studies
58graduates / yr
4 schools · 1 specialization · 5.5% of pipeline
Grad earnings
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.05
Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
23graduates / yr
3 schools · 1 specialization · 2.2% of pipeline
Grad earnings $40,929
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.34
Anthrozoology
20graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 1.9% of pipeline
Grad earnings
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.26
Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis
15graduates / yr
2 schools · 1 specialization · 1.4% of pipeline
Grad earnings $21,458
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.27
Human Biology
13graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 1.2% of pipeline
Grad earnings $31,690
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.11
Gerontology
12graduates / yr
3 schools · 1 specialization · 1.1% of pipeline
Grad earnings $37,623
Family And Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
CIP 19.07
Human Development
7graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 0.7% of pipeline
Grad earnings $31,642
Social Sciences
CIP 45.05
Demography
5graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 0.5% of pipeline
Grad earnings
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.17
Behavioral Sciences
4graduates / yr
2 schools · 1 specialization · 0.4% of pipeline
Grad earnings $36,206
Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics
CIP 16.01
Linguistic
2graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 0.2% of pipeline
Grad earnings $27,449
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.51
Philosophy
2graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 0.2% of pipeline
Grad earnings
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.23
Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies
1graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 0.1% of pipeline
Grad earnings $25,750

18 programs in Florida that lead to this job

Ranked by graduates per year in Florida (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are national College Scorecard figures reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. Each program also links to its own Florida page.

Degree programs that lead to this occupation, ranked by graduates per year
#ProgramGraduates / yrShare of pipelineSchoolsGrad earnings (1 yr)Median debt
1
CIP 45.0101In Florida
496
47.4%
8$35,590$24,095
2
CIP 30.3301In Florida
255
24.4%
11$37,223$20,968
3
CIP 13.0607In Florida
79
7.6%
1$33,086$26,000
4
CIP 30.4401In Florida
58
5.5%
4
5
CIP 13.0603In Florida
44
4.2%
4$33,086$26,000
6
CIP 30.0501In Florida
23
2.2%
3$40,929$25,000
7
CIP 30.3401In Florida
20
1.9%
1
8
CIP 30.2601In Florida
15
1.4%
2$21,458$21,125
9
CIP 30.2701In Florida
13
1.2%
1$31,690$17,312
10
CIP 30.1101In Florida
12
1.1%
3$37,623$25,986
11
CIP 13.0601In Florida
8
0.8%
2$33,086$26,000
12
CIP 19.0702In Florida
7
0.7%
1$31,642$23,092
13
CIP 45.0501In Florida
5
0.5%
1
14
CIP 30.1701In Florida
4
0.4%
2$36,206$29,240
15
CIP 16.0199In Florida
2
0.2%
1$27,449$20,824
16
CIP 30.5101In Florida
2
0.2%
1
17
CIP 45.0102In Florida
2
0.2%
1$35,590$24,095
18
CIP 30.2301In Florida
1
0.1%
1$25,750$18,622

Top 25 schools in Florida

Ranked by graduates per year into this job. Graduate earnings are reported for 7 of the 26 schools in this state.

Schools ranked by graduates per year into this occupation
#SchoolGraduates / yrTop feeder programGrad earnings (1 yr)Grad rateNet priceAcceptance
1Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL Public · 3 feeder programs
301Social Sciences, General$33,23586%24%
2University of South Florida
Tampa, FL Public · 4 feeder programs
180Social Sciences, General$34,42777%43%
3University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL Private not-for-profit · 8 feeder programs
127Learning Sciences84%$26,58919%
4University of Florida
Gainesville, FL Public · 3 feeder programs
117Sustainability Studies$39,26191%24%
5Florida International University
Miami, FL Public · 2 feeder programs
55Sustainability Studies$28,99774%55%
6University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL Public · 1 feeder programs
32Social Sciences, General$34,20978%40%
7Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Tallahassee, FL Public · 1 feeder programs
24Social Sciences, General53%21%
8Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, FL Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
21Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution67%$38,89965%
9Beacon College
Leesburg, FL Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
20Anthrozoology60%$32,94843%
10Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide
Daytona Beach, FL Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
20Sustainability Studies21%$21,26658%
11Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL Public · 3 feeder programs
20Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis63%66%
12Jacksonville University
Jacksonville, FL Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs
20Social Sciences, General$31,20451%$25,81357%
13University of West Florida
Pensacola, FL Public · 1 feeder programs
20Social Sciences, General$37,50159%58%
14University of Florida - Online
Gainesville, FL Public · 1 feeder programs
18Geography and Environmental Studies85%61%
15Hillsborough College
Tampa, FL Public · 1 feeder programs
13Sustainability Studies34%
16Saint Leo University
Saint Leo, FL Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
13Human Biology45%$18,98678%
17Everglades University
Boca Raton, FL Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
11Sustainability Studies61%$29,51381%
18Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs
10Educational Evaluation and Research63%$31,67273%
19Pensacola State College
Pensacola, FL Public · 1 feeder programs
8Sustainability Studies36%
20Palm Beach Atlantic University
West Palm Beach, FL Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs
6Social Sciences, General55%$32,03182%
21Bethune - Cookman University
Daytona Beach, FL Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
2Gerontology31%$16,81888%
22Florida Institute of Technology
Melbourne, FL Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
2Sustainability Studies64%$33,58558%
23Florida Southern College
Lakeland, FL Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
2Social Sciences, General71%$28,32564%
24St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL Public · 1 feeder programs
2Sustainability Studies38%
25Lynn University
Boca Raton, FL Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
1Behavioral Sciences52%$38,34373%

All 26 schools in Florida

Every school in Florida with a program that feeds this job, ordered by graduates per year. Earnings are shown for the ranked schools above; open a school profile for the rest.

All schools in Florida that feed this occupation
SchoolCityControlGraduates / yrFeeder programs
Florida State UniversityTallahasseePublic3013
University of South FloridaTampaPublic1804
University of MiamiCoral GablesPrivate not-for-profit1278
University of FloridaGainesvillePublic1173
Florida International UniversityMiamiPublic552
University of Central FloridaOrlandoPublic321
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical UniversityTallahasseePublic241
Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona BeachDaytona BeachPrivate not-for-profit211
Beacon CollegeLeesburgPrivate not-for-profit201
Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University - WorldwideDaytona BeachPrivate not-for-profit201
Florida Atlantic UniversityBoca RatonPublic203
Jacksonville UniversityJacksonvillePrivate not-for-profit203
University of West FloridaPensacolaPublic201
University of Florida - OnlineGainesvillePublic181
Hillsborough CollegeTampaPublic131

What social scientists and related workers, all other earn in Florida

What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.

Median annual in Florida
$83,460
Mean annual
$86,270
Jobs in state
1,740
What the range looks like
10th pct$44,990Median$83,46090th pct$127,190
Versus the national median
-17.5%

U.S. median $101,110. Florida pays below the national figure.

Job concentration
0.73×

1.00× means the state has its expected share of these jobs.

Metro areas in Florida

Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL
$96,820median
50 jobs
Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL
$91,170median
170 jobs
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL
$88,700median
90 jobs
Jacksonville, FL
$81,330median
110 jobs
Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL
$81,330median
40 jobs
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
$83,460median
310 jobs
Tallahassee, FL
$78,850median
110 jobs
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL
$79,960median
60 jobs

Job outlook

Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.

Projected growth 2024–34
-1.7%
Decline
Openings per year
3,200
new jobs plus replacements
Employment change
-700
40,800 → 40,100
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree

Growth and openings are national. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish employment projections at state level, so these figures describe the occupation across the whole U.S., not this state alone.

How to get in

The full skills, tools, and day-to-day breakdown lives on the national Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other page.

How to become a Social Scientist

Job zone 4 of 5 · SVP 7.0 to < 8.0
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Top skills

Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningCritical ThinkingWritingSpeakingActive Learning

The same job in other states

Where else this occupation employs the most people, and what it pays there.

Related careers in Florida

Every major mapped to this job

The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.

All 25 majors mapped to Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other25 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
  • 03.0209Energy and Environmental Policy
  • 13.0601Educational Evaluation and Research
  • 13.0603Educational Statistics and Research Methods
  • 13.0604Educational Assessment, Testing, and Measurement
  • 13.0607Learning Sciences
  • 13.0699Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research, Other
  • 16.0199Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services, Other
  • 19.0702Adult Development and Aging
  • 30.0501Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
  • 30.1001Biopsychology
  • 30.1101Gerontology
  • 30.1701Behavioral Sciences
  • 30.2101Holocaust and Related Studies
  • 30.2301Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies
  • 30.2601Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis
  • 30.2701Human Biology
  • 30.3301Sustainability Studies
  • 30.3401Anthrozoology
  • 30.4001Economics and Foreign Language/Literature
  • 30.4201Geoarcheaology
  • 30.4401Geography and Environmental Studies
  • 30.4601History and Political Science
  • 30.4701Linguistics and Anthropology
  • 30.5101Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
  • 44.0502Education Policy Analysis

Common questions

Answers for people weighing social scientists and related workers, all other programs in Florida.

What degree do you need to become a Social Scientist?+

Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Social Sciences, General, which awarded 496 degrees in Florida in 2024-25, 47.4% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.

Which college majors lead to becoming a Social Scientist?+

The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 18 programs to this occupation. The largest are Social Sciences, Sustainability Studies, Educational Assessment, Geography and Environmental Studies, plus 11 more. Together they graduate about 1,046 people a year in Florida.

How much do social scientists and related workers, all other earn in Florida?+

The median is $83,460 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). That is 17.5% below the U.S. median of $101,110. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.

Is demand for social scientists and related workers, all other growing?+

BLS projects a -1.7% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, decline, with roughly 3,200 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.

How many schools offer programs for this career in Florida?+

26 institutions in Florida reported graduates from at least one of the 18 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.

What other job titles do social scientists and related workers, all other work under?+

Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Planner, Program Officer, Transportation Planner, Transportation Data Programs Manager among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 19-3099.

Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other in other statesCaliforniaUtahNew YorkMassachusettsIndianaIllinoisVirginiaTexas

About the data on this page

Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024–25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).

  • BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics

    May 2025

    Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.

  • BLS Employment Projections

    2024–34

    Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.

  • IPEDS Completions

    2024-25 (provisional)

    Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.

  • College Scorecard, Field of Study

    2020-21 cohorts

    Median graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.

  • Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes

    latest available

    Graduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.

  • NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk

    CIP 2020 / SOC 2018

    Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.

  • O*NET Database 30.3

    30.3

    Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.

    Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA

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