ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Senior Social Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Parsons

Senior Social Scientist

Honolulu, HI

$88K - $154K/yr

Parsons is looking for an amazingly talented Sr. Social Scientist to join our team! In this role you will get to apply social and behavioral science expertise to support Operations in the Information ...

Parsons

$88K - $154K/yr

Parsons is looking for an amazingly talented Sr. Social Scientist to join our team! In this role you will get to apply social and behavioral science expertise to support Operations in the Information ...

Parsons

Senior Social Scientist

Miami, FL

$88K - $154K/yr

Parsons is looking for an amazingly talented Sr. Social Scientist to join our team! In this role you will get to apply social and behavioral science expertise to support Operations in the Information ...

Parsons

Senior Social Scientist

Colorado Springs, CO

$88K - $154K/yr

Parsons is looking for an amazingly talented Sr. Social Scientist to join our team! In this role you will get to apply social and behavioral science expertise to support Operations in the Information ...

CACI International, Inc.

Social Scientist

Tampa, FL · On-site

Social Scientist Job Category: Science Time Type: Full time Minimum Clearance Required to Start: TS ... Opportunities available at the SME and Senior levels. Responsibilities: * Conducts campaign and ...

CACI

Social Scientist with Security Clearance

Tampa, FL · On-site

Social Scientist Job Category: Science Time Type: Full time Minimum Clearance Required to Start: TS ... Opportunities available at the SME and Senior levels. Responsibilities: * Conducts campaign and ...

Cheil Dallas

Senior Social Strategist

Plano, TX

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Advertising, Social Sciences, English, Journalism, or a ... Mid- to senior-level expertise in developing insight-driven social strategies that connect business ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsScience JobsSocial Science JobsSocial Science Analyst JobsSenior Social Scientist Jobs

Senior Social Scientist information

See salary details

$36.5K

$91.9K

$116.5K

How much do senior social scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior social scientist in the United States is $91,924.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,000.00 and $116,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior social scientist?

Senior Social Scientists are experienced professionals who conduct advanced research and analysis on social behaviors, trends, and issues. They often design studies, interpret data, and provide insights that help organizations understand societal patterns and inform policy or business decisions. In addition to research, Senior Social Scientists may lead teams, mentor junior staff, and collaborate across disciplines. Their work can influence areas such as public policy, education, healthcare, and corporate strategy.

How do senior social scientists typically collaborate with multidisciplinary teams on research projects?

Senior Social Scientists often work closely with professionals from various fields such as data analysts, policy experts, and project managers. They contribute their expertise in research design, qualitative and quantitative methods, and social theory to ensure that studies are robust and contextually grounded. Effective collaboration involves regular meetings, clear communication, and integration of diverse perspectives to address complex societal issues. This multidisciplinary teamwork not only enhances research outcomes but also provides valuable learning opportunities and professional growth.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior social scientist, and why are they important?

A Senior Social Scientist typically requires an advanced degree in a social science field, expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methods, and a strong publication or project track record. Familiarity with statistical software (such as SPSS, Stata, or R), data analysis tools, and relevant certifications in research ethics are often expected. Superior soft skills include critical thinking, clear communication, and the ability to lead and mentor multidisciplinary teams. These competencies are crucial for designing impactful studies, generating actionable insights, and effectively guiding research initiatives.

What is the difference between Senior Social Scientist vs Social Research Analyst?

AspectSenior Social ScientistSocial Research Analyst
Required CredentialsMaster's or PhD in Social Sciences, research experienceBachelor's or Master's in Social Sciences, research skills
Work EnvironmentResearch institutions, government agencies, academiaMarket research firms, consulting companies, NGOs
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in academic, government, and large organizationsCommon in market research, policy analysis, and consulting

The main difference is that Senior Social Scientists typically hold advanced degrees and lead complex research projects in academic or government settings, while Social Research Analysts often focus on data collection and analysis in market or policy research roles. Senior Social Scientists usually have more experience and responsibilities, whereas Social Research Analysts are often entry to mid-level positions.

What cities are hiring for Senior Social Scientist jobs?

Cities with the most Senior Social Scientist job openings:

What states have the most Senior Social Scientist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Senior Social Scientist jobs include:

Senior Social Scientist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Social Scientist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,924 per year, or $44.2 per hour.

Senior Social Scientist

Parsons

Honolulu, HI

$88K - $154K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 19 days ago

Parsons rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 46 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

268th of 450 rated engineering

Job description

In a world of possibilities, pursue one with endless opportunities. Imagine Next!At Parsons, you can imagine a career where you thrive, work with exceptional people, and be yourself. Guided by our leadership vision of valuing people, embracing agility, and fostering growth, we cultivate an innovative culture that empowers you to achieve your full potential. Unleash your talent and redefine what's possible.

Job Description:

Parsons is looking for an amazingly talented Sr. Social Scientist to join our team! In this role you will get to apply social and behavioral science expertise to support Operations in the Information Environment (OIE) and Irregular Warfare (IW) by analyzing the cultural, psychological, and social dynamics that shape how audiences perceive, interpret, and respond to information and actions.

What You'll Be Doing:

  • Provides behaviorally grounded insight that informs planning, execution, and assessment across J39 activities.

  • Designs and conducts qualitative and quantitative research-including surveys, interviews, focus groups, and social network analysis-to develop a nuanced understanding of target audiences, group dynamics, identity drivers, and influence pathways relevant to mission objectives.

  • Translates research findings into operationally actionable insights that support Target Audience Analysis (TAA), COA development, narrative design, and risk assessment.

  • Collaborates closely with planners, analysts, behavioral scientists, content developers, and assessment teams to ensure OIE plans, messaging, and influence approaches are culturally informed, behaviorally realistic, and ethically sound.

  • Advises on cultural resonance, social norms, and potential unintended effects, helping mitigate risk and improve campaign effectiveness.

  • Supports the development of assessment frameworks by identifying behaviorally valid indicators and proxies, interpreting results in context, and contributing to lessons learned and plan adaptation.

  • Ensures research methods and findings are rigorous, transparent, and compliant with applicable authorities and ethical standards, preserving commander trust and analytic credibility.

What Required Skills You'll Bring:

  • Bachelors degree and 13+ years experience. Years of comparable experience can be used in lieu of degree. (HS diploma 17+ years, Associates 15+ years, Masters 10+ years)
  • Must have a current/active TS/SCI clearance or higher

Security Clearance Requirement:

An active Top Secret SCI security clearance is required for this position.This position is part of our Federal Solutions team.The Federal Solutions segment delivers resources to our US government customers that ensure the success of missions around the globe. Our intelligent employees drive the state of the art as they provide services and solutions in the areas of defense, security, intelligence, infrastructure, and environmental. We promote a culture of excellence and close-knit teams that take pride in delivering, protecting, and sustaining our nation's most critical assets, from Earth to cyberspace. Throughout the company, our people are anticipating what's next to deliver the solutions our customers need now.Salary Range: $88,400.00 - $154,700.00We value our employees and want our employees to take care of their overall wellbeing, which is why we offer best-in-class benefits such as medical, dental, vision, paid time off, 401(k), life insurance, flexible work schedules, and holidays to fit your busy lifestyle!This position will be posted for a minimum of 3 days and will continue to be posted for an average of 30 days until a qualified applicant is selected or the position has been cancelled.Parsons is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected status.We truly invest and care about our employee's wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest-APPLY TODAY!

Parsons is aware of fraudulent recruitment practices. To learn more about recruitment fraud and how to report it, please refer tohttps://www.parsons.com/fraudulent-recruitment/.

What Parsons employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply