How much does a social scientist make?
a year · about $49 an hour
A typical social scientist in the United States makes $101,110 a year, about $49 an hour, about 2× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
Depending on their specialty, social scientists may test survey questions or interview people, then organize the answers. They study the data on a computer, make charts, and write a report explaining what the evidence shows.
Did you know? The US General Social Survey has tracked Americans’ views since 1972, making it the country’s longest-running national survey of public opinion.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $66,120 and $160,300How do you become one?
US BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as the entry education for this broad group, though members do different jobs. Study a social-science field, research methods and statistics; internships help, and some research roles prefer graduate study.
Why does pay differ?
In the US, experience, education and useful research or data skills, the exact duties or specialty, and employer type can affect pay. BLS data also show differences by industry and location; credentials may matter when employers value them.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Virginia ($140,670), lowest in North Carolina ($81,420).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $66,120 | $101,110 | $160,300 | about 37,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $140,670 | about 3,000 |
| Maryland | $131,810 | about 3,000 |
| District of Columbia | $128,440 | about 2,000 |
| Massachusetts | $105,640 | about 820 |
| Colorado | $105,390 | about 790 |
Official definition: All social scientists and related workers not listed separately.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/19-3099.00
- www.bls.gov/emp/tables/education-and-training-by-occupation.htm
- www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/print/survey-researchers.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes193099.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.norc.org/research/library/results-of-the-2018-general-social-survey-now-avai
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY