The social sciences covers a huge swatch of jobs that are seemingly unrelated. Consider how biologists, urban planners, chemical technicians, psychologists, and political scientists all are under the same roof of “social sciences.” But one way we can order all these different careers is by their median salaries.

Below are the top 10 highest paying social science jobs according to the U.S. Labor of Statistics.

Physicists and Astronomers – $147,450

If you love sitting in an office or research laboratory pondering about the existence of aliens or why the world is speeding up, you may have found your next career. But first, you’ll need to get ready for a lot of school. Many entry-level jobs in this field require a doctorates or professional degree.

Political Scientist – $122,510

For better or worse, our country is deeply political. So, it’s little wonder there is an entire industry set on the research of political processes. You may find yourself consulting campaigns, lobbying congress, advising national news coverage, and more. For your education, you’ll likely need a master’s degree in political science, public administration, or a similar field.

Economists – $105,630

We’re in the throes of rapid inflation, supply chain disruptions, high employment rates, and a possible recession. It’s a rather bizarre, complex situation and has baffled current economists today. But, that also means they’re busy trying to make sense of it all and give their take on these important trends. You’ll likely need a master’s degree in a related field, however, if you may find an entry-level job in the federal government with a bachelor’s degree.

Biochemists and Biophysicists – $102,270

What makes up the poison of the Poison Dart Frog? What makes the cold virus so infectious in the winter? These types of inquiries are an extreme simplification of the type of work you may explore in this field. While the pay is great, you’ll need a doctoral or professional degree for an entry-level role.

Nuclear Technicians – $99,340

There was a day when the future of clean energy was nuclear. But after a few epic disasters and cover ups, the public has grown a bit wary of nuclear power. But that doesn’t mean it’s disappeared entirely, just that the job outlook is a bit on the slower side of growth. On the upside, the pay is excellent and it doesn’t require you to take on a large amount of student debt. You can score a job in this role with only an associates degree!

Medical Scientists – $95,310

The medical world is a rapidly growing sector, with a growth rate upward of 17%! And on top of all that, you get to contribute to the improvement of humankind. Of course, like most jobs in the medical field, you’ll need a fair amount of schooling for even an entry level role. For this position, expect to obtain a doctoral degree.

Atmospheric Scientists – $94,570

Rain or shine, this is a job where you’ll need to get to work. Thankfully, the majority of this position will allow you to work inside a weather station, office, or laboratory. But on occasion, expect to experience some direct weather in the field. A bachelor’s degree will suffice for a job in meteorology, but if you want to get into the research component, you’ll need a master’s degree or above.

Sociologists – $92,910

Some people love to sit in a park and watch the people behave. Others like to turn their obsession into human behavior into an entire career. This is the role of a sociologist and it pays pretty great. You’ll need a master’s degree for most jobs.

Geographers – $85,220

When most of us see a pretty mountain, you see a landforms from ancient tectonic plate movements. For a geographer who studies the landmass we all call earth, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree to begin and an eagerness to travel to a variety of remote regions. If you hope to climb up the mountain to new career heights, you’ll likely need a doctoral degree.

Hydrologists – $84,030

The flow of water is a powerful force – carving canyons, flooding cities, and reshaping borders. It’s also what hydrologists focus their research on. You’ll spend your efforts looking at piles of data, charts, graphs, and of course, water. Expect to get wet by wading into rivers and lakes for close up observations. A bachelor’s degree will get you most jobs, but some employers may require a master’s degree.

Curious what you can do with your major and what jobs it may lead you to? Check out our resource called “What Can I Do With This Major” for guidance.