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Anyone can tell you that people can be complicated. In fact, there are entire disciplines of study dedicated to understanding people, their cultures and their societies better: the social sciences. Here is a brief look at what social scientists are, and how to become one.

What are social scientists?

A social scientist is one who studies some facet of human society and relationships. It is a broad title that encompasses a number of fields. The following are just some of the professionals who could be considered social scientists, along with a brief explanation of what each does, as defined by the College Board:

• Sociologists study people and the way they behave, both as individuals and in groups. Sociologists often have specialties, like urban or rural communities.
• Criminologists study the nature and behavior of criminals.
• Political scientists study human political affiliations and voting behavior.
• Archaeologists find and study historic objects to learn about past cultures, both ancient and semi-modern.
• Demographers use math and statistics to study and document population change, including growth and cultural or geographical distribution.

Social science schools typically provide students with an opportunity to study any of these disciplines, plus several more. Potential students who want to learn more about social scientists and related workers may be able to do so through professional groups like those represented in the Consortium of Social Science Associations (COSSA), or through the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

How to become a social scientist

Social scientists and related workers are a diverse group of professionals whose specialties and job duties can vary, so their education requirements vary, too. Generally speaking, however, one who hopes to enter one of these fields should expect to earn at least a bachelor's degree. Social scientists who wish to lead original research or teach at the collegiate level must often earn graduate or doctoral degrees, depending on the level of institution in which they hope to teach. In many cases students can complete at least part of their social science training online, though it is not unusual for some institutions to offer hybrid programs combining computer-based instruction with classroom-based labs.

Salary trends for social scientists and related workers

Because the social science career field can include a number of different job titles, it can be difficult to pin down potential earnings. According to the BLS (BLS.gov, 2012), the annual national median social scientist salary in 2011 was $75,160, with the lowest 10 percent earning up to $44,560 and the top 10 percent earning up to $115,750 (BLS). The industries reporting the highest national mean salaries that year were:

• Scientific consulting services: $91,010 mean
• Business, professional or similar organizations: $90,690 mean
• Educational support services: $90,540 mean

Earnings for specific job titles tend to vary. For instance, the BLS reports that the national annual median salary for sociologists was $73,670 in 2011 (BLS). Anthropologists and archaeologists in contrast earned a $56,070 annual median salary nationally (BLS). For those interested in a career in social science, it's a good idea to research salary data for specific jobs of interest.

Location is another factor to consider when estimating your earning potential as income can fluctuate from one state to the next. With that in mind, the BLS reports that the following states offered the highest mean social scientists salaries in 2011 (BLS):

• Virginia: $100,800 mean
• Hawaii: $91,380 mean
• Maryland: $90,180 mean

One final factor that can influence your bottom line is experience and education. In general, those who have earned higher degrees or have more experience in the field tend to make more than lesser-trained or -experienced colleagues. For those brand new to the profession, social scientist schools are an excellent place to begin.

Career outlook for social scientists

Career prospects for social science graduates tend to vary by specialty. For example, the BLS projects that employment of sociologists is expected to grow by 18 percent between 2010 and 2020 (BLS), and for anthropologists and archaeologists by 21 percent (BLS). On the other hand, the BLS projects that demand for political scientists will grow by 8 percent that same period (BLS).