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Social Scientist
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Historians may be involved in cross-cultural or interdisciplinary studies, or they may specialize in:
Historians attempt to reconstruct and interpret the past by studying and analyzing published sources and original documents. These might include government and other archives, correspondence, diaries, maps, oral history tapes, photographs, artifacts, and other physical evidence. They may also:
Historians rely on computers for word processing, desktop publishing, databases, and spreadsheets. If the work involves design, they may use photographic, drawing, or drafting programs and equipment.
Increasingly, historians get their information online in a digitized form. Digital historians may use open data sources from governments to compile historical social information and reinterpret previous historical hypotheses. They may use qualitative data analysis software and mapping technologies to come up with new methods of interpretation and explanation.
Historians may work alone or with a team on projects at historic sites, museums, libraries, archives, or other heritage sites. Their research may involve travel.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in co-ordinating information to organize, authenticate and evaluate historical data
Interest in consulting with other historians on research findings, and in advising individuals, institutions and commercial organizations on historical information; may teach history at advanced educational levels
Interest in consulting various sources of information such as archives, libraries, diaries and newspaper files, and in documenting findings
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Historians need to be effective communicators in person and in writing.
They should enjoy:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 10 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Dec 16, 2021 and Dec 06, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Health benefits: Health care plan | 8 |
|---|---|
| Health benefits: Dental plan | 7 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication | 6 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 6 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent written communication | 6 |
| Health benefits: Vision care benefits | 6 |
| Tasks: Perform administrative tasks | 6 |
| Construction Specialization: Interpersonal awareness | 5 |
| Construction Specialization: Analytical | 5 |
| Construction Specialization: Judgement | 5 |
A master of arts (MA) degree in history is the minimum educational requirement for most research positions. University positions require a doctoral (PhD) degree.
Historians working in heritage agencies such as museums and historic sites may need to be familiar with technologies for presenting information to the public. These could include the internet and audio-visual equipment.
In general, the entrance requirement for a master of arts degree program is a related 4-year bachelor’s degree with an above-average grade point average.
The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Historians work as consultants, researchers, and instructors. They work for:
Many historians are employed on a contract basis.
Those who have BA and MA degrees may use their research, writing, and analytical skills to move into other fields such as information management. They may be hired to write federal civil service examinations for government departments. With additional education, history graduates may move into related fields such as law, education, journalism, architecture, or interior design.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Other professional occupations in social science, n.e.c.
2016 NOC: 4169
80.2% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Salaries for university positions vary with:
For more information, see the University professors and lecturers wage profile.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $21.00 | $42.06 | $32.76 | $33.00 |
| Overall | $23.25 | $55.54 | $44.68 | $43.11 |
| Top | $25.00 | $80.04 | $54.73 | $50.69 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $82,211 |
|---|---|
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $74,555 |
| Public Administration | $105,776 |
Canadian Historical Association (CHA) website: cha-shc.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 22, 2023. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
