Career Outlook

Growth Expected for Social Science-Related Careers

Employment growth in social science disciplines is expected to be as high as 22 percent through 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. The tables below reveal projected employment and salary data by discipline.

Economists 
2010 Median Pay $89,450 per year / $43.00 per hour  
Entry-Level Education Bachelor’s degree  
Work Experience in a Related Occupation None
On-the-job Training  None
Number of Jobs, 2010 15,400
Job Outlook, 2010-20 6%
Employment Change, 2010-20 900
Political Scientists
2010 Median Pay $107,420 per year / $51.65 per hour
Entry-Level Education Master’s degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation None
On-the-job Training None
Number of Jobs, 2010 5,600
Job Outlook, 2010-20 8%
Employment Change, 2010-20 400
Sociologists
2010 Median Pay $72,360 per year / $34.79 per hour
Entry-Level Education Masters’s degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation None
On-the-job Training None
Number of Jobs, 2010 4,000
Job Outlook, 2010-20 18%
Employment Change, 2010-20 700
Urban and Regional Planners
2010 Median Pay $63,040 per year / $30.31 per hour 
Entry-Level Education Master’s degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation None
On-the-job Training None
Number of Jobs, 2010 4,300
Job Outlook, 2010-20 16%
Employment Change, 2010-20 6,500
Psychologists 
2010 Median Pay $68,640 per year / $33.00 per hour 
Entry-Level Education May vary
Work Experience in a Related Occupation None
On-the-job Training Internship/residency
Number of Jobs, 2010 174,000
Job Outlook, 2010-20 22%
Employment Change, 2010-20 37,700
Lawyers
2010 Median Pay $112,760 per year / $54.21 per hour
Entry-Level Education Doctoral or professional degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation None
On-the-job Training None
Number of Jobs, 2010 728,200
Job Outlook, 2010-20 10%
Employment Change, 2010-20 73,600