Social Scientists and Related Worker Salary in 2026
How Much Do Social Scientists and Related Workers Make?
Social Scientists and Related Workers earn a median annual salary of $100,340 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $62,570 at the 10th percentile to $160,810 at the 90th percentile — a range of $98,240. The highest-paying state is Virginia at $144,320.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $62,570 |
| 25th percentile | $79,210 |
| Median (50th) | $100,340 |
| 75th percentile | $127,880 |
| 90th percentile | $160,810 |
Social Scientists and Related Worker Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Virginiatop | $144,320 |
| Maryland | $129,750 |
| District of Columbia | $122,320 |
| Washington | $107,100 |
| Massachusetts | $104,770 |
| New York | $102,570 |
| Connecticut | $102,150 |
| Hawaii | $102,000 |
| California | $101,110 |
| Colorado | $101,000 |
| Arizona | $97,360 |
| Oregon | $96,700 |
| New Jersey | $96,360 |
| Texas | $96,210 |
| Minnesota | $95,930 |
| Ohio | $95,860 |
| Alabama | $95,640 |
| Illinois | $94,520 |
| West Virginia | $94,310 |
| Pennsylvania | $93,750 |
| Maine | $89,860 |
| New Mexico | $89,860 |
| Georgia | $89,440 |
| Nevada | $88,750 |
| North Carolina | $87,810 |
| Iowa | $87,590 |
| Mississippi | $86,940 |
| South Carolina | $86,940 |
| Florida | $86,670 |
| Indiana | $84,640 |
| Utah | $84,640 |
| Arkansas | $84,640 |
| Wyoming | $84,640 |
| Alaska | $84,280 |
| Wisconsin | $84,020 |
| Kansas | $82,220 |
| South Dakota | $82,220 |
| New Hampshire | $81,950 |
| Rhode Island | $81,950 |
| Louisiana | $80,490 |
| Missouri | $80,040 |
| Idaho | $79,790 |
| Oklahoma | $79,790 |
| Michigan | $78,960 |
| Montana | $78,770 |
| Kentucky | $78,020 |
| Vermont | $74,990 |
| North Dakota | $72,550 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Social Scientists and Related Workers
Social Scientists and Related Worker Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$62,570 – $79,210 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$100,340 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$127,880 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $160,810+ |
How to Earn More as a Social Scientists and Related Worker
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Social Scientists and Related Workers in Virginia earn $144,320 — $43,980 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($127,880) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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SOC: 19-3099.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.