How To Become A Social Scientist: What It Is and Career Path

What is a social scientist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted Expert

Aaron Thornburg

Social Science is the study of man and the physical, social, and cultural development related to society. Social scientists study past events, man's achievements, behavior, and relationships among groups.

A social scientist designs and conducts research studies. These studies make it possible to know the different ways that individuals, groups, and institutions make decisions, express power, and change.

They study the data collected, reanalyze old data and information, analyze historical records and documents, and interprets how the location has affected culture and other aspects of society. A social scientist might have to go into the field to synthesize and analyze data.

A social scientist must have a master's or a Ph.D. degree in psychology, history, anthropology, or sociology. However, a degree in mathematics may also make work easier. You must also possess communication skills. Notable social scientists include Wiliam Du Bois, Max Weber, Auguste Comte, and Karl Marx.

What general advice would you give to a Social Scientist?

Aaron Thornburg

Associate Professor of Anthropology, Eastern Oregon University

The route to maximizing your salary potential in Social Science careers, or any other type of career, is in gaining the concrete skills and experience in the practice of the particular career position for which you are applying. Want to be an Archaeologist? Then, try to get real-life archaeological work experience (https://shovelbums.org/index.php/2015-02-23-16-25-08/current-jobs). Want to work in museums and heritage? Then, apply for a (paid) internship in the field (https://americananthro.org/learn-teach/louise-lamphere-internship/). Want to work in academic publishing? Then, get applied skills in proofreading/editing by working for your school's undergraduate research publication (https://www.eou.edu/scijou/). Nothing is more attractive to an employer than a candidate who already has experience in the role that they would be taking on.

ScoreSocial ScientistUS Average

Salary

5.6

Avg. Salary $71,150

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

Growth Rate 17%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.6

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.09%

Asian 7.84%

Black or African American 6.81%

Hispanic or Latino 13.95%

Unknown 6.44%

White 63.87%

Gender

female 38.07%

male 61.93%

Age - 40

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 40

Key steps to become a social scientist

Explore social scientist education requirements

Most common social scientist degrees

Bachelor's

54.9 %

Master's

25.6 %

Doctorate

17.7 %

Start to develop specific social scientist skills

Skills	Percentages
Statistical Analysis	26.03%
Data Collection	14.02%
Social Science Research	12.70%
Data Analysis	11.00%
Communicate Research Findings	10.44%

Research social scientist duties and responsibilities

Manage process optimization, scale-up, technology transfer and validation of SUSTIVA (TM) product-line to manufacturing facility.
Lead people-focused research for first-of-its-kind technical project integrating GIS, scientific, and qualitative data.
Develop and manage third party claim investigations and contractor remedial oversight for various insurance companies.
Advise on providing grants to businesses and infrastructure.

Apply for social scientist jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a social scientist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams