Social Sciences, General
Social Sciences
Median earnings by degree level
| Degree | Median earnings | Typical range | Schools | Clear the bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate's Degree | $44,266 | $41,268 to $47,704 | 38 | 92% |
| Bachelor's Degree | $51,921 | $45,288 to $58,362 | 95 | 98% |
| Master's Degree | $57,722 | $54,124 to $71,228 | 11 | 91% |
"Clear the bar" is the share of programs whose graduates out-earn a typical high-school graduate (the federal earnings-premium test). Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile of program medians.
Job outlook
Projected employment growth +2% (2023 to 2033), about 318,400 openings a year across the occupations this field commonly leads to.
| Occupation | Median pay | Growth | Openings/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other | $133,560 | +4.5% | 106,700 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $63,680 | -2% | 91,000 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $65,220 | -1.6% | 66,200 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $64,290 | -2% | 40,500 |
| Social Science Research Assistants | $56,400 | +4.4% | 5,200 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $95,890 | -1.7% | 3,200 |
Occupation pay and outlook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wages, Employment Projections). A field maps to several occupations, so this lists where the major commonly leads, not any one graduate's job.
Earnings source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10), median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Report an error.