Are you passionate about studying human behavior in relation to their environment? Then the social science field is just the right call for you! Social sciences deals with the study of humans and the relationships they have within their society. It imbibes some of the characteristics of the arts discipline and the processes involved in science. While natural science focuses on the physical attributes in our world, social sciences deals more with human behaviors.
According to Data USA, in 2021 about 3.6 million people were working jobs related to the social science field and over 200,000 degrees were awarded to students. When we discuss issues concerning politics, mental health, and indeed a wide variety of social issues, they all come under the social science field. In this article, we will explore the highest-paying careers, you might just find the right fit for you on our list. While you are still here, just take a few seconds to subscribe to our newsletter here for more informative updates like this one.
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Benefits of pursuing a career in the social science field
There are so many advantages you get to enjoy when you pursue a career in the social science field. Some of them include:
1. Improved communication skills
Well, the field deals with the study of humans, which means that you get to learn the behavioral patterns humans exhibit including how they are likely to communicate and react to different situations. This will not only help your knowledge base, it will also help in your your interpersonal communication and improve your skills. Additionally, excellent communication skills are required for any form of human relationship to thrive.
Read also: Top 10 International Scholarships To Study Social Sciences
2. High-emotional Intelligence
Another perk that comes with being a social science major is that your emotional intelligence skills be greatly improved being that you have dedicated time to study the patterns of human relations. You will be able to understand why people behave and respond the way they do and how to relate effectively with people.
3. Improvement of research skills
Since social science deals with the study of humans and the environment, it is certainly impossible to study something without research being in the equation. Because people who major in this field are focused on the study of humans, they will therefore learn how to analyze data and interpret them in a useful manner which are part of the duties involved in research.
4. Understanding of how the society works
Social scientists get to understand how society works and develop ways to build sustainable systems that will aid the effectiveness of societies. They can work with government agencies to create plans that encompass the different human strata in society.
Top 10 highest-paid jobs in the social science field
Below is a list of the top 10 highest-paid jobs in the social science field:
1. Political Scientist
People who are interested in politics and government will make very good political science. Political scientists are responsible for studying political systems and then creating and developing new ideas and political policies for the benefit of people in society. Additionally, they analyze data and test new ideologies and laws to ensure that they are sustainable and effective. They mostly work with the government, labor organizations, academic institutions, and so on. The salary range of a political scientist is seen below:
| Jobs | United States | Canada | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Political Scientist | $120,125 | CA$85,092 | £46,248 |
2. Economist
This career path also falls under the social science field just like the business field. Economists are responsible for advising companies, businesses, and government agencies on the best decisions to make economically. Additionally, they develop models that predict financial developments and trends. They can specialize in public finance, labor economics, international economics, and other areas. The salary range of an economist is seen below:
| Jobs | United States | Canada | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economist | $122,752 | CA$92,964 | £55,470 |
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3. Industrial-Organizational Psychologist
Additionally, this is another high-paying job in the social science field. An industrial-organizational psychologist is responsible for studying human behaviors in the workplace. They can function in different departments like Business administration, human resources, marketing, and sales among others. They also train employees and develop growth plans for businesses as they focus on human relations. The salary range of an industrial-organizational psychologist is seen below:
| Jobs | United States | Canada | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial-organizational psychologist | $107,250 | CA$117,342 | £49,690 |
4. Sociologist
As the name implies, sociology focuses on the way humans interact. Sociologists examine human interactions across a wide range of areas including cultures, social institutions, groups, and relationships among others. Furthermore, they create theories to explain these processes so that other people can apply them for effective human relations. They also collaborate with professionals in other fields to determine how social forces influence human behavior. The salary range of a sociologist is seen below:
| Jobs | United States | Canada | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sociologist | $74,852 | CA$64,828 | £47,683 |
5. Geographer
Geography combines both the study of physical and social sciences. It is a generally broad field that includes political geographers, cultural geographers, human geographers, medical geographers, environmental geographers, regional geographers, and others. Geographers just like sociologists are also researchers. The salary range of a geographer is seen below:
| Jobs | United States | Canada | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geographer | $74,334 | CA$72,183 | £54,321 |
6. Psychologist
Psychologists focus on understanding human behaviors and analyzing why people act the way they do. They can work in different environments like schools, hospitals, social assistance programs, research centers private practices, and the government. The salary range of an urban and regional planner can be seen below:
| Jobs | United States | Canada | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychologist | $125,266 | CA$110,143 | £43,679 |
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7. Urban and Regional Planner
In simple terms, an urban and regional planner develops plans for using available land so that the overall outlook in the given community will be orderly and will meet the community’s needs. They focus on establishing new communities, enlarging existing ones to accommodate the growing population of people, and then enhancing outdated facilities. They often work for architecture and engineering establishments and the government. The salary range of an urban and regional planner can be seen below:
| Jobs | United States | Canada | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban and regional planner | $100,954 | CA$79,582 | £48,000 |
8. Historian
There’s a popular saying that those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Well, thank God for historians who through their professionalism will help us not only have the knowledge of history but also understand and learn the necessary vital lessons. History is another course in the social science field and historians are concerned with the study of the past. They often work for the government and can work in a variety of environments like archives, museums historical societies, and more. The salary range of a historian is seen below:
| Jobs | United States | Canada | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Historian | $53,853 | CA$161,538 | £36,755 |
9. Anthropologist and Archeologist
Just like historians, anthropologists, and archeologists also study the past but they majorly focus on the development of cultures. Anthropologists are focused on cultural research as it relates to modern culture. They also conduct interviews to get information. Archeologists on the other hand specialize in knowing more about artifacts from the past. The salary range of an anthropologist and archeologist is seen below:
| Jobs | United States | Canada | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthropologists, and Archeologists | $72,295 | CA$58,913 | £38,583 |
10. Survey Researcher
A survey researcher carries out surveys and then interprets the results in a meaningful and useful manner. They can work in academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, corporations, research firms, government agencies, and others. Many people and establishments depend on figures to thrive and survey researchers are responsible for providing these figures. The salary range of a survey researcher is seen below:
| Jobs | United States | Canada | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Survey researcher | $47,911 | CA$66,351 | £35,997 |
Top 10 Universities for Social Science Courses
We have compiled a list of the top 10 universities for social science courses globally according to the QS World ranking. They are:
| School | Location | QS World Ranking |
| Harvard University | Cambridge, United States | 1 |
| University of Oxford | Oxford, United Kingdom | 2 |
| Stanford University | Stanford, United States | 3 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cambridge, United States | 4 |
| The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) | London, United Kingdom | 5 |
| University of Cambridge | Cambridge, United Kingdom | 6 |
| University of California, Berkeley (UCB) | Berkeley, United States | 7 |
| Yale University | New Haven, United States | 8 |
| University of Chicago | Chicago, United States | 9 |
| Columbia University | New York City, United States | 10 |
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Courses/Degrees to help you start a career in the Social Sciences
If you want to start a career in the social science field and you are wondering what courses you can explore, we have listed some options for you:
Degrees
- Psychology
- Economics
- Sociology
- Political Science
- Anthropology
- Geography
- History
- Social Worker
Certifications
- COSCA Counselling Skills Certificate. …
- Certificate in Development Studies and Diplomacy (Online) (UNITAR) …
- Certificate in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Leadership. …
- Certificate in Health and Social Care.
- Certificate in Management of Community Organizations
- Addiction Studies Certificate
- Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Certificate
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