Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations·SOC 19-3099
Best degree programs for Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other, ranked by enrollment
33 college programs and 948 schools train Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other. Compare graduates per year, cost and pay, $101,110 median wage, 37,100 U.S. jobs. Federal data.
33 college programs at 948 schools train social scientists and related workers, all other, graduating 44,244 people a year (IPEDS completions). The largest is Social Sciences, General. The job pays a median of $101,110 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Graduates / yr
44,244
from every feeder program
Median annual wage
$101,110
BLS OEWS May 2025
Projected growth
-1.7%
Decline
Openings / yr
3,200
new plus replacement
Schools
948
with a feeder program
States with jobs
50
BLS reports wages
About social scientists and related workers, all other
All social scientists and related workers not listed separately.
Also calledPlannerProgram OfficerTransportation PlannerTransportation Data Programs ManagerLinguistDemographerEthnologistEtymologistPaleologistPhilologistGroup TesterMental Tester
Fields of study that lead to this job
Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level, the tier our program pages are built on. Numbers are graduates per year.
Social Sciences
CIP 45.01Social Sciences
17,302graduates / yr
339 schools · 4 specializations · 39.1% of pipeline
Grad earnings $35,590
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.17Behavioral Sciences
6,635graduates / yr
123 schools · 1 specialization · 15.0% of pipeline
Grad earnings $36,206
Education
CIP 13.06Educational Assessment
5,804graduates / yr
56 schools · 5 specializations · 13.1% of pipeline
Grad earnings $33,086
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.33Sustainability Studies
4,424graduates / yr
226 schools · 1 specialization · 10.0% of pipeline
Grad earnings $37,223
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.27Human Biology
2,282graduates / yr
33 schools · 1 specialization · 5.2% of pipeline
Grad earnings $31,690
Social Sciences
CIP 45.99Social Sciences
1,659graduates / yr
102 schools · 1 specialization · 3.7% of pipeline
Grad earnings $36,279
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.44Geography and Environmental Studies
1,229graduates / yr
70 schools · 1 specialization · 2.8% of pipeline
Grad earnings —
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.11Gerontology
838graduates / yr
106 schools · 1 specialization · 1.9% of pipeline
Grad earnings $37,623
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.05Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
809graduates / yr
75 schools · 1 specialization · 1.8% of pipeline
Grad earnings $40,929
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.23Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies
737graduates / yr
100 schools · 1 specialization · 1.7% of pipeline
Grad earnings $25,750
Public Administration And Social Service Professions
CIP 44.05Public Policy Analysis
454graduates / yr
25 schools · 2 specializations · 1.0% of pipeline
Grad earnings $44,740
Health Professions And Related Programs
CIP 51.32Health Professions Education
415graduates / yr
31 schools · 1 specialization · 0.9% of pipeline
Grad earnings $99,851
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.26Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis
372graduates / yr
40 schools · 1 specialization · 0.8% of pipeline
Grad earnings $21,458
Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics
CIP 16.01Linguistic
296graduates / yr
24 schools · 1 specialization · 0.7% of pipeline
Grad earnings $27,449
Family And Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
CIP 19.07Human Development
220graduates / yr
34 schools · 1 specialization · 0.5% of pipeline
Grad earnings $31,642
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.10Biopsychology
183graduates / yr
22 schools · 1 specialization · 0.4% of pipeline
Grad earnings $43,343
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.51Philosophy
164graduates / yr
20 schools · 1 specialization · 0.4% of pipeline
Grad earnings —
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.46History and Political Science
109graduates / yr
21 schools · 1 specialization · 0.2% of pipeline
Grad earnings —
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.21Holocaust and Related Studies
94graduates / yr
12 schools · 1 specialization · 0.2% of pipeline
Grad earnings —
Natural Resources And Conservation
CIP 03.02Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy
82graduates / yr
11 schools · 1 specialization · 0.2% of pipeline
Grad earnings $37,946
Social Sciences
CIP 45.05Demography
71graduates / yr
12 schools · 1 specialization · 0.2% of pipeline
Grad earnings —
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.34Anthrozoology
50graduates / yr
3 schools · 1 specialization · 0.1% of pipeline
Grad earnings —
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.42Geoarcheaology
8graduates / yr
2 schools · 1 specialization · 0.0% of pipeline
Grad earnings —
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.47Linguistics and Anthropology
4graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 0.0% of pipeline
Grad earnings —
CIP 30.40
Economics and Foreign Language/Literature
3graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 0.0% of pipeline
Grad earnings —
33 degree programs that lead to this job
Ranked by graduates per year (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are College Scorecard figures for people who finished the program, reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. That is a different measurement from the occupation-wide wages further down this page.
| # | Program | Graduates / yr | Share of pipeline | Schools | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CIP 45.0101 | 14,991 | 33.9% | 339 | $35,590 | $24,095 |
| 2 | CIP 30.1701 | 6,635 | 15.0% | 123 | $36,206 | $29,240 |
| 3 | CIP 30.3301 | 4,424 | 10.0% | 226 | $37,223 | $20,968 |
| 4 | CIP 13.0607 | 4,040 | 9.1% | 38 | $33,086 | $26,000 |
| 5 | CIP 45.0102 | 2,284 | 5.2% | 65 | $35,590 | $24,095 |
| 6 | CIP 30.2701 | 2,282 | 5.2% | 33 | $31,690 | $17,312 |
| 7 | Social Sciences, Othermain feeder CIP 45.9999 | 1,659 | 3.7% | 102 | $36,279 | $25,312 |
| 8 | CIP 30.4401 | 1,229 | 2.8% | 70 | — | — |
| 9 | CIP 30.1101 | 838 | 1.9% | 106 | $37,623 | $25,986 |
| 10 | CIP 30.0501 | 809 | 1.8% | 75 | $40,929 | $25,000 |
| 11 | CIP 13.0601 | 749 | 1.7% | 56 | $33,086 | $26,000 |
| 12 | CIP 30.2301 | 737 | 1.7% | 100 | $25,750 | $18,622 |
| 13 | CIP 13.0603 | 445 | 1.0% | 46 | $33,086 | $26,000 |
| 14 | CIP 51.3204 | 415 | 0.9% | 31 | $99,851 | $21,475 |
| 15 | CIP 30.2601 | 372 | 0.8% | 40 | $21,458 | $21,125 |
| 16 | CIP 44.0503 | 357 | 0.8% | 25 | $44,740 | $22,000 |
| 17 | CIP 13.0699 | 308 | 0.7% | 21 | $33,086 | $26,000 |
| 18 | CIP 16.0199 | 296 | 0.7% | 24 | $27,449 | $20,824 |
| 19 | CIP 13.0604 | 262 | 0.6% | 21 | $33,086 | $26,000 |
| 20 | CIP 19.0702 | 220 | 0.5% | 34 | $31,642 | $23,092 |
| 21 | CIP 30.1001 | 183 | 0.4% | 22 | $43,343 | $22,125 |
| 22 | CIP 30.5101 | 164 | 0.4% | 20 | — | — |
| 23 | CIP 30.4601 | 109 | 0.2% | 21 | — | — |
| 24 | CIP 44.0502 | 97 | 0.2% | 15 | $44,740 | $22,000 |
| 25 | CIP 30.2101 | 94 | 0.2% | 12 | — | — |
| 26 | CIP 03.0209 | 82 | 0.2% | 11 | $37,946 | $24,125 |
| 27 | CIP 45.0501 | 71 | 0.2% | 12 | — | — |
| 28 | CIP 30.3401 | 50 | 0.1% | 3 | — | — |
| 29 | CIP 45.0103 | 18 | 0.0% | 2 | $35,590 | $24,095 |
| 30 | CIP 45.0199 | 9 | 0.0% | 2 | $35,590 | $24,095 |
| 31 | CIP 30.4201 | 8 | 0.0% | 2 | — | — |
| 32 | CIP 30.4701 | 4 | 0.0% | 1 | — | — |
| 33 | Economics and Foreign Language/Literature CIP 30.4001 | 3 | 0.0% | 1 | — | — |
Top 50 schools by graduates into this job
Counting every feeder program a school offers, not just its largest one.
| # | School | Graduates / yr | Top feeder program | Grad rate | Net price | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Governors University Salt Lake City, UT Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 3,277 | Learning Sciences | 46% | $11,580 | — |
| 2 | Purdue University Global West Lafayette, IN Public · 4 feeder programs | 1,725 | Behavioral Sciences | 50% | — | — |
| 3 | Harvard University Cambridge, MA Private not-for-profit · 10 feeder programs | 1,603 | Sustainability Studies | 98% | $15,013 | 4% |
| 4 | East Los Angeles College Monterey Park, CA Public · 2 feeder programs | 1,042 | Social Sciences, General | 37% | — | — |
| 5 | University of Chicago Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · 5 feeder programs | 851 | Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods | 96% | $13,333 | 4% |
| 6 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY Private not-for-profit · 8 feeder programs | 702 | Sustainability Studies | 96% | $15,315 | 4% |
| 7 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · 9 feeder programs | 620 | Human Biology | 92% | $26,873 | 10% |
| 8 | University of California - Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA Public · 5 feeder programs | 604 | Behavioral Sciences | 75% | — | 66% |
| 9 | CUNY Hunter College New York, NY Public · 1 feeder programs | 506 | Human Biology | 57% | — | 54% |
| 10 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC Public · 3 feeder programs | 489 | Behavioral Sciences | 91% | — | 15% |
| 11 | Teachers College at Columbia University New York, NY Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 477 | Behavioral Sciences | — | — | — |
| 12 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IA Public · 8 feeder programs | 470 | Behavioral Sciences | 75% | — | 84% |
| 13 | College of the Canyons Santa Clarita, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 455 | Social Sciences, General | 45% | — | — |
| 14 | Sierra College Rocklin, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 422 | Social Sciences, General | 42% | — | — |
| 15 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Public · 5 feeder programs | 412 | Human Biology | 93% | — | 9% |
| 16 | Antelope Valley Community College District Lancaster, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 409 | Social Sciences, General | 34% | — | — |
| 17 | Ohlone College Fremont, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 383 | Social Sciences, General | 52% | — | — |
| 18 | American River College Sacramento, CA Public · 3 feeder programs | 382 | Social Sciences, General | 37% | — | — |
| 19 | Georgetown University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 371 | Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods | 95% | $22,242 | 13% |
| 20 | San Jacinto Community College Pasadena, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 368 | Behavioral Sciences | 30% | — | — |
| 21 | Santa Rosa Junior College Santa Rosa, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 359 | Social Sciences, General | 37% | — | — |
| 22 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WI Public · 6 feeder programs | 354 | Sustainability Studies | 90% | — | 45% |
| 23 | Butte College Oroville, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 339 | Social Sciences, General | 45% | — | — |
| 24 | Brown University Providence, RI Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 338 | Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods | 96% | $14,644 | 5% |
| 25 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN Private not-for-profit · 5 feeder programs | 337 | Social Sciences, General | 94% | $14,854 | 6% |
| 26 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CA Public · 6 feeder programs | 334 | Social Sciences, Other | 93% | — | 11% |
| 27 | J Sargeant Reynolds Community College Richmond, VA Public · 1 feeder programs | 326 | Social Sciences, General | 32% | — | — |
| 28 | Folsom Lake College Folsom, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 313 | Social Sciences, General | 44% | — | — |
| 29 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WA Public · 6 feeder programs | 306 | Human Biology | 85% | — | 39% |
| 30 | University of Oregon Eugene, OR Public · 5 feeder programs | 304 | Social Sciences, General | 72% | — | 88% |
| 31 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FL Public · 3 feeder programs | 301 | Social Sciences, General | 86% | — | 24% |
| 32 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX Public · 5 feeder programs | 295 | Behavioral Sciences | 89% | — | 27% |
| 33 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT Public · 7 feeder programs | 293 | Sustainability Studies | 65% | — | 86% |
| 34 | Brookdale Community College Lincroft, NJ Public · 1 feeder programs | 288 | Social Sciences, General | 30% | — | — |
| 35 | Emory University Atlanta, GA Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 280 | Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods | 91% | $20,586 | 11% |
| 36 | University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, MD Public · 3 feeder programs | 273 | Social Sciences, General | 33% | — | — |
| 37 | Imperial Valley College Imperial, CA Public · 2 feeder programs | 265 | Behavioral Sciences | 45% | — | — |
| 38 | Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VA Public · 1 feeder programs | 260 | Social Sciences, General | 33% | — | — |
| 39 | Palomar College San Marcos, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 257 | Social Sciences, General | 38% | — | — |
| 40 | University at Albany Albany, NY Public · 2 feeder programs | 252 | Human Biology | 61% | — | 69% |
| 41 | Mt San Antonio College Walnut, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 250 | Social Sciences, General | 45% | — | — |
| 42 | Washington State University Pullman, WA Public · 7 feeder programs | 240 | Social Sciences, General | 60% | — | 87% |
| 43 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY Public · 7 feeder programs | 232 | Social Sciences, General | 75% | — | 74% |
| 44 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KS Public · 5 feeder programs | 224 | Human Biology | 69% | — | 93% |
| 45 | Portland State University Portland, OR Public · 4 feeder programs | 216 | Social Sciences, General | 53% | — | 91% |
| 46 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CA Public · 7 feeder programs | 213 | Human Biology | 87% | — | 29% |
| 47 | Cornell University Ithaca, NY Private not-for-profit · 5 feeder programs | 200 | Human Biology | 95% | $17,613 | 9% |
| 48 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · 8 feeder programs | 199 | Behavioral Sciences | 97% | $22,055 | 5% |
| 49 | Yuba College Marysville, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 193 | Social Sciences, General | 40% | — | — |
| 50 | Stanford University Stanford, CA Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 192 | Human Biology | 92% | $12,032 | 4% |
What social scientists and related workers, all other earn
What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.
Median annual wage
$101,110
Mean annual
$107,690
Median hourly
$48.61/hr
People employed
37,100
What the range looks like
10th pct$66,120Median$101,11090th pct$160,300
Top-paying states
New York
$104,770median
3,410 jobs · 1.47×
Virginia
$140,670median
3,380 jobs · 3.45×
California
$97,900median
2,970 jobs · 0.68×
Maryland
$131,810median
2,600 jobs · 3.95×
District of Columbia
$128,440median
2,480 jobs · 14.81×
Texas
$101,800median
2,260 jobs · 0.67×
North Carolina
$81,420median
1,770 jobs · 1.50×
Florida
$83,460median
1,740 jobs · 0.73×
Top-paying metro areas
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
$138,250median
6,220 jobs
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
$135,390median
100 jobs
College Station-Bryan, TX
$105,270median
90 jobs
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
$124,590median
1,070 jobs
Charlottesville, VA
$119,430median
350 jobs
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
$105,670median
760 jobs
New Haven, CT
$126,610median
70 jobs
Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH
$120,220median
680 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
Where the jobs are, state by state
Pick a state for in-state pay, the schools there, and the programs they run.
| State | Median pay | Jobs | Concentration | Schools | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $97,900 | 2,970 | 0.68× | 116 | 10,792 |
| Utah | $91,560 | 180 | 0.42× | 9 | 3,804 |
| New York | $104,770 | 3,410 | 1.47× | 74 | 3,703 |
| Massachusetts | $105,640 | 820 | 0.95× | 32 | 2,458 |
| Indiana | $89,440 | — | — | 28 | 2,079 |
| Illinois | $99,050 | 730 | 0.50× | 26 | 1,518 |
| Virginia | $140,670 | 3,380 | 3.45× | 27 | 1,496 |
| Texas | $101,800 | 2,260 | 0.67× | 39 | 1,341 |
| Pennsylvania | $97,640 | 620 | 0.43× | 56 | 1,136 |
| Arizona | $99,320 | 600 | 0.77× | 21 | 1,113 |
| Florida | $83,460 | 1,740 | 0.73× | 26 | 1,046 |
| New Jersey | $101,260 | 350 | 0.34× | 24 | 1,022 |
| Maryland | $131,810 | 2,600 | 3.95× | 18 | 990 |
| North Carolina | $81,420 | 1,770 | 1.50× | 24 | 965 |
| Washington | $102,920 | 1,160 | 1.37× | 10 | 807 |
| Oregon | $95,900 | 350 | 0.75× | 15 | 751 |
| Wisconsin | $88,830 | 260 | 0.37× | 22 | 746 |
| Georgia | $91,210 | 1,510 | 1.30× | 22 | 721 |
| Michigan | $84,260 | 660 | 0.63× | 25 | 586 |
| Tennessee | $80,860 | 320 | 0.41× | 14 | 586 |
| Ohio | $98,630 | 1,520 | 1.15× | 30 | 578 |
| Iowa | $91,560 | 150 | 0.42× | 11 | 534 |
| Oklahoma | $88,610 | 220 | 0.53× | 15 | 482 |
| Missouri | $80,850 | 330 | 0.47× | 21 | 432 |
| District of Columbia | $128,440 | 2,480 | 14.81× | 6 | 416 |
| Rhode Island | $89,960 | 110 | 0.88× | 7 | 410 |
| Kansas | $85,160 | 310 | 0.89× | 13 | 382 |
| Colorado | $105,390 | 790 | 1.15× | 15 | 340 |
| New Hampshire | $86,530 | 130 | 0.80× | 9 | 310 |
| Connecticut | — | 300 | 0.75× | 11 | 240 |
| South Carolina | $83,780 | 300 | 0.54× | 15 | 240 |
| Minnesota | $103,330 | 1,000 | 1.41× | 24 | 231 |
| Nebraska | $104,420 | 120 | 0.48× | 9 | 221 |
| Kentucky | $78,850 | 350 | 0.73× | 14 | 216 |
| Alabama | $95,370 | 320 | 0.64× | 10 | 187 |
| Maine | $73,920 | 40 | 0.27× | 10 | 175 |
| Delawarelimited | $92,330 | 100 | 0.84× | 2 | 161 |
| Hawaii | $92,520 | 430 | 2.85× | 5 | 146 |
| Mississippi | $85,550 | 170 | 0.62× | 10 | 92 |
| South Dakota | $86,260 | 70 | 0.65× | 7 | 85 |
| Idaho | $88,610 | 70 | 0.35× | 5 | 80 |
| Louisiana | $91,170 | 560 | 1.20× | 9 | 79 |
| Arkansas | $76,400 | 250 | 0.79× | 8 | 70 |
| West Virginia | $94,520 | 190 | 1.15× | 6 | 64 |
| New Mexico | $91,170 | 170 | 0.80× | 8 | 49 |
| North Dakotamoderate | $76,400 | 120 | 1.20× | 4 | 38 |
| Nevadamoderate | $95,620 | 180 | 0.49× | 3 | 37 |
| Vermont | $79,450 | 110 | 1.47× | 5 | 30 |
| Wyoming | $88,610 | 40 | 0.63× | 6 | 23 |
| Montanamoderate | $82,380 | 170 | 1.40× | 4 | 21 |
Skills and tools
From O*NET, the U.S. Department of Labor's occupational database. Importance is a 1 to 5 scale.
What they do day to day
- Define regional or local transportation planning problems or priorities.
- Participate in public meetings or hearings to explain planning proposals, to gather feedback from those affected by projects, or to achieve consensus on project designs.
- Prepare reports or recommendations on transportation planning.
- Collaborate with engineers to research, analyze, or resolve complex transportation design issues.
- Recommend transportation system improvements or projects, based on economic, population, land-use, or traffic projections.
- Develop computer models to address transportation planning issues.
- Analyze information related to transportation, such as land use policies, environmental impact of projects, or long-range planning needs.
- Interpret data from traffic modeling software, geographic information systems, or associated databases.
Skills
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Active Listening4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Writing4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Active Learning3.8
- Mathematics3.4
- Monitoring3.1
Knowledge areas
- Transportation4.8
- English Language3.9
- Mathematics3.9
- Geography3.7
- Law and Government3.7
- Computers and Electronics3.5
Abilities
- Inductive Reasoning4.0
- Oral Expression4.0
- Fluency of Ideas4.0
- Deductive Reasoning4.0
- Oral Comprehension4.0
- Written Comprehension4.0
Core activities
- Getting Information4.8
- Analyzing Data or Information4.6
- Working with Computers4.5
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others4.3
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization4.3
- Processing Information4.3
Tools and technology
hotmarks an O*NET hot technologyAdobe AcrobathotAdobe IllustratorhotAdobe InDesignhotAdobe PhotoshophotAutodesk AutoCADhotAutodesk AutoCAD Civil 3DhotBentley MicroStationhotESRI ArcGIS softwarehotIBM SPSS StatisticshotMicrosoft Accesshot
How to get in
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.
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
Related careers
Jobs O*NET identifies as close to this one, with their own pay and outlook.
17-2051
Civil Engineers
$100,840367,840 jobs+5.0%
19-3051
Urban and Regional Planners
$89,32044,230 jobs+3.4%
11-3071
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
$107,230221,180 jobs+6.1%
13-1081
Logisticians
$82,320251,040 jobs+16.7%
53-6041
Traffic Technicians
$59,0907,860 jobs+3.7%
13-1082
Project Management Specialists
$102,3201,066,670 jobs+5.6%
Common questions
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 14,991 degrees in 2024-25, 33.9% 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 33 programs to this occupation. The largest are Social Sciences, Behavioral Sciences, Educational Assessment, Sustainability Studies, plus 21 more. Together they graduate about 44,244 people a year.
How much do social scientists and related workers, all other earn?+
The median is $101,110 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). The middle range runs from $66,120 at the 10th percentile to $160,300 at the 90th. 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?+
948 institutions reported graduates from at least one of the 33 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 by stateCaliforniaUtahNew YorkMassachusettsIndianaIllinoisVirginiaTexasPennsylvaniaArizonaFloridaNew Jersey
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 2025Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.
BLS Employment Projections
2024–34Projected 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 cohortsMedian graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.
Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes
latest availableGraduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.
NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk
CIP 2020 / SOC 2018Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.
O*NET Database 30.3
30.3Tasks, 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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