Are you passionate about studying human behavior in relation to the environment? Then the social sciences field is just for you. Social science deals with the study of human beings and their relationships within society. It absorbs some of the characteristics of the artistic field and the processes involved in science. Natural sciences focus on the physical properties of our world, while social sciences deal more with human behavior.
According to Data USA, approximately 3.6 million people held jobs related to social science fields in 2021, and more than 200,000 degrees were awarded to students. When we discuss politics, mental health, and a wide variety of social issues, they all fall under the field of social science. In this article, we explore the highest paying careers. You too may be able to find the perfect job for you from this list. While you’re on this page, subscribe to our newsletter here to receive useful updates like this.
Benefits of pursuing a career in the social sciences
There are many benefits you can enjoy when pursuing a career in the social sciences. Some of them are:
1. Improving communication skills
This field deals with the study of humans. This means you can learn about the behavioral patterns that humans exhibit, such as how they communicate and react to different situations. This will not only help your knowledge base but also improve your interpersonal communication and skills. In addition, good communication skills are required for successful relationships in all forms.
Also read: Top 10 international scholarships to study social sciences
2. High emotional intelligence
Another perk of majoring in social sciences is that you can significantly improve your emotional intelligence by spending time studying patterns in human relationships. You will be able to understand why people act and react the way they do and how to relate to them effectively.
3. Improving research capabilities
Since social science deals with the study of humans and the environment, it is certainly impossible to study something without including it in the equation. Because people majoring in this field focus on the study of humans, they learn how to analyze and interpret data in useful ways, which is part of their research-related responsibilities.
4. Understanding how society works
Social scientists understand how society works and develop ways to create sustainable systems that aid society’s effectiveness. They can work with government agencies to create plans that are inclusive of different strata of society.
Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in Social Sciences
Below is a list of the top 10 highest paying jobs in the social sciences.
1. Political scientist
Those interested in politics and government will produce very good political science. Political scientists are responsible for studying political systems and creating and developing new ideas and political policies for the benefit of people in society. Additionally, we analyze data and test new ideologies and laws to ensure they are sustainable and effective. They primarily work with governments, labor organizations, and academic institutions. The salary range for political scientists is as follows:
| Recruitment | America | Canada | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| political scientist | $120,125 | 85,092 Canadian dollars | £46,248 |
2. Economist
This career path also falls under the social science field as well as the business field. Economists are responsible for advising businesses, corporations, and government agencies to make the best economic decisions. Additionally, we develop models to predict financial developments and trends. They can specialize in areas such as finance, labor economics, and international economics. The salary range for economists is as follows:
| Recruitment | America | Canada | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| economist | $122,752 | 92,964 Canadian dollars | £55,470 |
related: Top 5 Destinations for Nigerian Students to Study Social Sciences
3. Industrial-organizational psychologist
Moreover, this is also a well-paying job in the social sciences field. Industrial-organizational psychologists are responsible for studying human behavior in the workplace. They can work in various departments such as business administration, human resources, marketing, and sales. We also train employees and develop business growth plans, with a focus on relationships. The salary range for industrial organizational psychologists is as follows:
| Recruitment | America | Canada | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| industrial organizational psychologist | $107,250 | 117,342 Canadian dollars | £49,690 |
4. Sociologist
As the name suggests, sociology focuses on the way humans interact. Sociologists investigate human interactions across a wide range of areas, including culture, social institutions, groups, and relationships among others. Additionally, we develop theories that explain these processes so that others can apply them to effective relationships. They also collaborate with experts in other fields to understand how social forces influence human behavior. The salary range for sociologists is as follows:
| Recruitment | America | Canada | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| sociologist | $74,852 | 64,828 Canadian dollars | £47,683 |
5. Geographer
Geography combines the study of both physical and social sciences. This is a generally broad field that includes political geographers, cultural geographers, human geographers, medical geographers, environmental geographers, regional geographers, and more. Like sociologists, geographers are researchers. Geographer salary ranges are as follows:
| Recruitment | America | Canada | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| geographer | $74,334 | 72,183 Canadian dollars | £54,321 |
6. Psychologist
Psychologists focus on understanding human behavior and analyzing why people behave the way they do. They can work in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, social assistance programs, research centers, private clinics, and government. The salary range for city and regional planners is as follows:
| Recruitment | America | Canada | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| psychologist | $125,266 | 110,143 Canadian dollars | £43,679 |
Also read: How to bring your family with you while studying abroad
7. Urban/Regional Planner
Simply put, urban and regional planners create plans for the use of available land so that the overall outlook for a particular community is orderly and meets the needs of the community. They focus on establishing new communities, expanding existing communities to accommodate growing populations, and then strengthening outdated facilities. They often work in architecture and engineering facilities or in government. The salary range for city and regional planners is as follows:
| Recruitment | America | Canada | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| City/regional planner | $100,954 | 79,582 Canadian dollars | 48,000 pounds |
8. Historian
There is a popular saying that those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Well, thank God for historians who, through their professionalism, help us not only to have historical knowledge, but also to understand and learn the important lessons we need. History is another course in the social science field, and historians are interested in studying the past. They often work in government and can work in a variety of settings such as archives, museums, and historical societies. The salary range for historians is as follows:
| Recruitment | America | Canada | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| historian | $53,853 | CAD 161,538 | £36,755 |
9. Anthropologists and Archaeologists
Like historians, anthropologists and archaeologists also study the past, but primarily focus on cultural development. Anthropologists focus on cultural studies related to modern culture. We also conduct interviews to obtain information. Archaeologists, on the other hand, specialize in learning more about artifacts from the past. The salary ranges for anthropologists and archaeologists are as follows:
| Recruitment | America | Canada | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| anthropologists and archaeologists | $72,295 | CAD 58,913 | £38,583 |
10. Researcher
Survey researchers conduct research and interpret the results in meaningful and useful ways. They can work in academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, corporations, research companies, government agencies, and more. Many people and institutions rely on numbers to grow, and research researchers are responsible for providing these numbers. The salary range for investigators is as follows.
| Recruitment | America | Canada | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Researcher | $47,911 | 66,351 Canadian dollars | £35,997 |
Top 10 universities offering social science courses
We have compiled a list of the top 10 universities for social science courses in the world according to QS World rankings. they are:
| school | position | QS World Ranking |
| Harvard University | Cambridge, USA | 1 |
| oxford university | oxford, england | 2 |
| stanford university | Stanford, USA | 3 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cambridge, USA | Four |
| London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) | london, united kingdom | Five |
| cambridge university | cambridge, england | 6 |
| University of California, Berkeley (UCB) | Berkeley, USA | 7 |
| yale university | new haven, usa | 8 |
| University of Chicago | Chicago, USA | 9 |
| columbia university | New York City, USA | Ten |
Please also read: Use 7 Steps to Ask Your Professor for Financial Aid
Courses/degrees to help you start a career in the social sciences
If you are looking to start a career in the social sciences and are wondering what courses you can consider, we have listed some options.
Every time
- psychology
- economy
- Sociology
- political science
- Anthropology
- geography
- history
- social worker
certification
- COSCA Counseling Skills Certificate. …
- Certificate in Development Research and Diplomacy (Online) (UNITAR)…
- Certificate in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Leadership. …
- Certificate in Health and Social Care.
- Certificate in Community Organization Management
- addiction research certificate
- Certificate in Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies
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Admission to a top university in the world can increase your chances with employers. Unfortunately, due to the current economic crisis, studying abroad can be quite expensive. However, this should not limit you as there are other options you can consider to advance your career.
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This post was last updated on October 16, 2023 at 2:05 PM.
