Job Description of a Demographer
If you love people, math and trend watching, you have a foundation for a career in demography. Demography is a specialized branch of sociology, and for this reason, the study of human behavior is a key component of a demographer's job. You will study population trends, interpret their significance and more.
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Definition
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A demographer is a social scientist who studies the causes and effects of population changes. Population changes of interest to demographers include births, deaths and population migratory patterns.
Responsibilities
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The demographer has a multifaceted role and is expected to "ascertain the number of people in a given area, determine what change that number represents from a previous census, explain the change and estimate the future trends of population changes," according to Population Association of America.
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Education
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A demographer's work requires advanced knowledge and skills beyond a bachelor's degree. An advanced degree, either a master's or doctorate, is required to obtain employment. Typical bachelor's degree programs and preparatory coursework that aspiring demographers take before entering an advanced degree program include sociology, psychology, economics, urban planning and statistics. Appropriate programs can be found at many colleges and universities in traditional classroom settings and on-line learning environments.
Work Environment
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Both government agencies and private companies use the statistical data that demographers collect and analyze. As a result, demographers work for private enterprises, news organizations and government agencies. Since they hold advanced degrees, demographers may also seek employment at colleges or universities as instructors or professors.
Salary
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On average, a demographer earns $53,160 per year. This figure is likely to vary, based upon the employer's set wages and the demographer's experience.
Preferred Qualifications
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Since demographers and sociologists are in the same field, their qualifications are similar. They should be able to work alone or collaboratively; regularly adhere to deadlines; attend departmental meetings; possess excellent written and oral communication skills; and critically analyze information, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Considerations
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The job of a demographer is multifaceted and includes wide-ranging skills that applicants in other fields may also possess. When applying for a demographer position, you may be in direct competition with individuals who also possess analytical skills like economists, market analysts and statisticians.
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References
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