Annual Average Salary Information
Annual Average Salary: $80,730
What does a Life, Physical, and Social Science earn?
Life scientists, such as zoologists and botanists, typically earn around $80,730 per year in the U.S.. They typically work in fields such as biology, ecology, and genetics, often researching and developing new ways to benefit the environment. Professionals in this field can specialise in a subcategory such as zoology, botany, or marine biology. Physical scientists, such as chemists, physicists, and geologists, also earn around $80,730 per year in the U.S.. They perform experiments and analyse data to understand and explain phenomena related to the physical world, often discovering new technologies and applications. They may specialise in a particular field, like chemistry, physics, or geology. Social scientists, such as psychologists and economists, typically earn around $80,730 per year in the U.S.. They research and interpret the behavior and relationships of people, often discovering new ways to improve the quality of life. They may specialise in a field, like psychology, economics, or anthropology.
How to earn more as a Life, Physical, and Social Science
To become a Life Science professional, you will need a degree in Biology, Genetics, or Chemistry. You can also undertake a degree apprenticeship. To earn more as a Life Scientist, you can move into a specific field like Biochemistry or Microbiology. You could also become self-employed or set up your own Life Science venture. To become a Physical Science professional, you will need a degree in Mathematic and Statistics, Physics, or Astronomy. You can also undertake a degree apprenticeship in such fields. To earn more in Physical Sciences, you can move into a specific area like quantum Physics or Astronomy, or become a manager in an organisation related to Physics. Additionally, you can become self-employed in a Physical Science career or set up your own business. To become a Social Science professional, you will need a degree in Political Science, Economics, or Sociology. Degree apprenticeships are also available in these areas. To earn a higher wage, you can move into a field like International Relations or become a manager in a related business. You could also become self-employed or set up your own Social Science consultancy.
Life, Physical, and Social Science responsibilities
The average life, physical, and social science salary an employer offers depend on your specialism, whether you will work in one of the highest-paying states, and the responsibilities of the job title. The job title could be for junior to senior-level social science occupations, categorized as Agricultural and Food Scientists, Forest and Conservation Technicians, Human Health Scientists, Historians, Chemists, Zoologists, or Geoscientists.
Most life, physical, and social science careers will pay an excellent average annual salary for responsibilities and duties including conducting scientific research, investigating overall human health, developing physical principles, monitoring natural resources, explaining data collected, investigating economic issues, and analyzing evidence from surveys to produce a report.
Life, physical, and social science leaders earn higher salaries than scientists and engineers, focusing on delegating tasks, running programs, hiring and measuring employee performance, and ensuring legal and regulatory compliance.
Skills and education level
Your education level will also affect your average annual salary. Most companies and organizations will pay the national average wage if you have a high school diploma and a relevant certification for entry-level jobs. You should be paid higher salaries and compensation if you work for an employer who requests a doctoral or professional degree or other qualifications, such as a bachelor’s or master’s.
If you did not graduate with a U.S. high school diploma, you can prove equivalent knowledge by taking the General Education Development Test (GED). You can take the GED test within the U.S. or from 90 other countries.
The highest salaries and advancement potential go to those with the top skills for social science occupations. These include mathematics, research skills, analytical skills, deduction, knowledge of technology and society, attention to detail, and an ability to solve problems.
What to expect from Life, Physical, and Social Science careers
You can start your life, physical, or social science career as a trainee or junior Researcher, Scientist, or Technician. Graduate-level jobs for those with a doctoral or professional degree are available, securing the median annual wage or higher, reflecting the education attained.
You will most likely be asked to work in a laboratory, office, university, or out in the field. Your workload and task variety may be dictated by the company size, objectives, and budget.
While hours may vary across industries, a Sociologist, Survey Researcher, or Chemist would expect to work set hours. However, an Astronomer, Zoologist, or Nuclear Technician, might work various shifts, including evenings and weekends.
You will be expected to be adaptable and efficient, handle confidential data, follow company policies, and adhere to the state or U.S. regulations. Your working day may be very regular or full of surprises, new projects, and problems to investigate and solve.
Life, Physical, and Social Science job title
There are numerous job titles within the life, physical, and social science industries. Examples of social science occupations and job titles include Epidemiologist, Forester, Environmental Scientist, Medical Scientist, and Physicist. A specialized occupation requiring industry knowledge and a more significant experience level command higher salaries and pay, according to our data collected from job boards, aggregators, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
You can search for vacancies in social science occupations and the national average salaries on Checkasalary.com for positions covering Forest and Conservation Technicians, Agricultural and Food Scientists, Research Scientists, and other professionals and specialists.
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Highest-paying locations for Life, Physical, and Social Science jobs
The location of your life, physical, and social science job in America can greatly impact your pay and compensation. Use our Salary Calculator to check annual and hourly average salary for jobs in various locations such as California, Colorado, Virginia, and more. While relocating can improve compensation, it is not the only option. A shorter commute and working in an urban area may also offer higher salaries. Use our salary data to compare if employers in rural or urban locations are offering above, below, or average salaries.
Life, Physical, and Social Science professional development
Salary for life, physical, and social science professionals can vary based on career level and experience. Entry-level positions have the lowest pay, while senior staff and management earn more. Graduates with relevant qualifications may have a higher starting salary. To increase your earning potential, consider taking training opportunities such as workshops or online courses. Our per-hour and annual salary data provide insight into the wage range and earnings for a different level of roles in the industry.
Life, Physical, and Social Science work experience
Obtaining prior life, physical, and social science work experience in your chosen career path can significantly enhance your chances of getting hired and earning a competitive salary. Practical experiences such as internships, apprenticeships, shadowing, and vacation work can provide valuable skills and knowledge in the field. If it is not possible to find work experience directly for your prospective job, showcasing transferable skills gained from other experiences can also be beneficial to potential employers and demonstrate your experience level.
Life, Physical, and Social Science working hours
Having prior life, physical, and social science work experience in your desired career can greatly improve your chances of being hired and earning a competitive salary. Gaining practical experience through internships, apprenticeships, shadowing, and vacation work can provide valuable skills and knowledge in the field. Even if direct experience in your prospective job is not available, highlighting transferable skills gained from other experiences can also be beneficial to potential employers and demonstrate your level of experience.
Life, Physical, and Social Science salary negotiations
To be well-prepared for salary negotiations in the life, physical, and social science fields, it is important to research and understand typical salaries and compensation factors such as average bonuses for the positions you are interested in. Utilize salary comparison tools to determine your worth. Keep in mind that compensation includes more than just financial benefits, also consider other perks such as the ability to work from home, additional paid vacation, gym memberships, and healthcare benefits.
Annual salary, median salary, and taxes
When evaluating median or annual salary for a role in life, physical, and social science, it’s important to keep in mind that taxes will be taken out of your pay. You may be responsible for paying various employment taxes such as Federal Income Tax, Federal and State Unemployment Tax, Social Security, Medicare Tax, and Additional Medicare Taxes, which may be deducted by your employer or required to be self-paid.
Life, Physical, and Social Science Job search
If you are seeking a better salary, start your life, physical, and social science job search today. You can search for jobs by job title and set up job alerts to get notified as soon as an employer posts their vacancy.