Best Jobs For Social Science Majors
A social science degree can get you started on a career in law, social work, academia, politics and more. Explore these common jobs for social science majors.
| Rank | Job Title | Most Common Major | % Workers with Major | Mid-Career Pay | % High Job Meaning |
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Social science students (anthropology, communications, sociology, geography, political science, social work, sociology, economics, etc.) study the complex nature of societies and human behavior. As such, a bachelor’s degree in social science can be a strong foundation for a wide variety of careers in any number of fields such as academia, consulting, government, law and more. These potentially lucrative careers require a unique combination of practical knowledge, technical training, and creativity.
Social Science Career Paths
Just like there’s a variety of majors, there’s a variety of income potential, depending on discipline. For example, Econ and PoliSci students typically land jobs on the higher end of the spectrum. Econ students often capitalize on their quantitative skills, typically becoming Analytics Managers, Financial Planners, and Strategy Managers. On the other hand, PolySci students often find themselves in careers such as Senior Intelligence Analysts, Directors of Governmental Affairs, or even Vice Presidents of Governmental Affairs.
High Paying Jobs For Social Science Majors
Financial / Securities / Investments Analyst – Mid-Career Salary: $80,800
Financial/securities/investment analysts work for financial institutions, such as mutual fund companies, banks, and investment departments of financial institutions, and are responsible for comparable/industry analysis, financial modeling, investment portfolio monitoring, and even marketing support and other projects.
Intelligence Analyst – Mid-Career Salary: $77,900
Intelligence analysts generally work for government agencies, and companies which work with the government, in order to provide information about security threats.
Security Manager – Mid-Career Salary: $73,600
Depending on the employer, security managers are often required to make plans and schedules and assign roles to security detail and contracted employees. They may also be required to respond to emergency calls and administer first-aid if necessary. They may oversee the implementation of safety plans; they also perform audits and ensure that employees under their supervision adhere to proper protocols and regulations.
Other high-earning jobs for graduates with 10 or more years of experience are Fraud Investigator, Urban Planner and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analyst. Some notable politicians that were also social science majors (economics) include Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Gerald Ford.