From researching historical trends to learning everything there is to know about the human mind, research is a wide and expansive field that can appeal to just about anyone.
If you have a thirst for knowledge and a passion for learning, you may find a research career is a perfect fit for you.
Here are 11 jobs in research that may be right for you.
1. Historian
Why Become a Historian?
If you have a love for all things historical and enjoy deep-diving into obscure events and happenings in the past, becoming a Historian might just be the best career path for you.
Historians work for universities and other historical organizations to help piece the past together, providing their own narratives for textbooks and research papers.
Historians may work in specific departments and fields depending on their area(s) of interest. Working as a historian will require plenty of research, digging, and a lot of self-reliance.
For those interested, the average Historian’s income is approximately $68,690 each year.
| Historian Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $72,130 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $34.68 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 6.1% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Historian
2. Forensic Scientist
Why Become a Forensic Scientist?
Are you a lover of puzzles?
Do you have a knack for solving puzzles and figuring out mysteries?
If this sounds like you, consider a career path as a Forensic Scientist.
On average, forensic scientists earn approximately $63,170 annually and require at least 4 years of a college education.
As a forensic scientist, you will be responsible for collecting and analyzing both traditional data as well as evidence, depending on your position.
Piecing evidence and timelines together is often designated to a forensic scientist.
| Forensic Scientist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $66,850 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $32.14 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 14% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Forensic Scientist
3. Anthropologist
Why Become an Anthropologist?
If you are fascinated with the origin of man and the planet, working towards becoming an anthropologist is optimal.
Anthropologists research and document the origin of species, events, and time periods that are documented throughout history.
As an anthropologist, you will spend your time researching and cross-checking references, findings, and verifiable evidence to help piece together the story of mankind.
On average, a full-time anthropologist’s salary is approximately $66,810, or $32.12 an hour.
| Anthropologist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $66,800 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $32.12 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 3.9% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become an Anthropologist
4. Archeologist
Why Become an Archeologist?
For anyone who enjoys making discoveries and contributing to the findings of humanity, becoming an archeologist is a great research career.
Archeologists are notoriously known for attempting to dig up bones of dinosaurs and other extinct creatures.
However, archeologists also work with covered-up buildings and other landmarks that provide us with the history we learn about today.
The average salary of an archeologist today is approximately $66,810.
| Archeologist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $66,800 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $32.12 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 3.9% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become an Archeologist
5. Medical Researcher
Why Become a Medical Researcher?
If you have a passion for medicine, the body, and helping share information with others, consider becoming a medical researcher.
A medical researcher is responsible for researching, identifying, and assessing potentially useful information for specific medical-related topics.
From helping to cross-check peer-reviewed studies to presenting new findings for future developments, you will surely be kept busy as a medical researcher.
On average, a medical researcher earns approximately $82,760 in the US or $39.79 hourly.
| Medical Researcher Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $87,820 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $42.22 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 8% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Medical Researcher
6. Sociologist
Why Become a Sociologist?
If you enjoy the study of human society, the structure of society as we know it, as well as the future development of humanity, becoming a sociologist may be a perfect career path for you.
As a sociologist, you will be responsible for studying behavioral patterns, interactions, activities, and even traditional processes of the human condition in order to generate future hypotheses and expectations.
The average sociologist’s salary in the US is approximately $90,590, or $43.55 hourly.
| Sociologist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $96,260 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $46.28 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 5% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Sociologist
7. Market Research Analyst
Why Become a Market Research Analyst?
When it comes to marketing, are you simply a natural?
Do you want to show off your talents while earning a full-time income?
If so, consider working towards becoming a market research analyst.
Market research analysts monitor and track current trends for promotional and marketing purposes.
Dive deep into discovering the wants and needs of any intended audience or demographics as a market research analyst.
On average, a market research analyst earns approximately $71,570 each year, or $34.41 an hour in the US.
| Market Research Analyst Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $76,080 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $36.58 |
| Education | 3-4 Years |
| Outlook | 23.2% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Market Research Analyst
8. Biologist
Why Become a Biologist?
Working with biological and chemical materials is possible as a researcher if you are an official Biologist.
Biologists work with bodily fluids, chemicals, and materials to help conduct and verify the research.
As a biologist, you may also be responsible for running tests, checking labs, and monitoring the progress of a human experiment.
On average, the annual salary of a biologist is approximately $89,100, or $42.84 hourly.
| Biologist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $93,970 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $45.18 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 9% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Biologist
9. Forensic Scientist
Why Become a Forensic Scientist?
Are you a lover of puzzles?
Do you have a knack for solving puzzles and figuring out mysteries?
If this sounds like you, consider a career path as a Forensic Scientist.
On average, forensic scientists earn approximately $63,170 annually and require at least 4 years of a college education.
As a forensic scientist, you will be responsible for collecting and analyzing both traditional data as well as evidence, depending on your position.
Piecing evidence and timelines together is often designated to a forensic scientist.
| Forensic Scientist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $66,850 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $32.14 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 14% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Forensic Scientist
10. Psychologist
Why Become a Psychologist?
If you enjoy helping others and you have a knack for understanding what people are saying and feeling, consider a career as a psychologist.
A psychologist is well-versed in the human mind and human behaviors, providing them with the ability to offer tools and resources to clients in need.
Psychologists help patients to identify and address problem areas in their own lives that may lead to disappointments and hangups.
On average, the annual salary of a US psychologist is $87,450, or $42.04 an hour.
| Psychologist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $66,850 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $32.14 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 14% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Psychologist
11. Economist
Why Become An Economist?
If you are one to follow the latest trends in the economy, consider working towards becoming an official economist.
An economist’s job requires the ability to constantly research and remain updated with the latest trends in finance, stocks, and even imports and exports.
Economists typically have a degree in business or in economics and have a well-rounded understanding of how economies operate around the world.
The average salary for a full-time economist is around $116,630 each year, or $56.07 hourly.
| Economist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $120,830 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $58.09 |
| Education | 3-4 Years |
| Outlook | 6.1% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become An Economist
