19 Series · SOC 19-3041

Sociologists Salary

National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).

$106,030
Median / year
$172,550
Top 10% earn
+3.6%
Growth '23–'33
2,260
US workers

Sociologists earn a median of $106,030 per year.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $106,030, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $65,160 (10th percentile) to $172,550 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 2,260 US workers. Illinois pays the most ($140,770), since pay varies by state and metro area.

19 Series · Source: BLS OEWS Compare with another job →
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The pay verdict

Sociologists earn a median of $106,030, putting them among the better-paid US occupations and higher than 87% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Life, Physical, and Social Science, it ranks #11 of 48 by median pay. Employment is projected to grow 3.6% by 2033.

$106,030
Median annual wage
Top 13%
of 825 US occupations with published wages
#11 of 48
in Life, Physical, and Social Science
2.6×
90th-to-10th pay spread

Highest-paying state: Illinois at $140,770. Typical entry-level education: Master's degree.

Sociologists (SOC 19-3041) pays a national median of $106,030 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $65,160 at the 10th percentile to $172,550 at the 90th, with a mean of $114,920 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 2,260 Americans work in this occupation across 11 reporting states and 10 metro areas.

BLS Employment Projections forecast a +3.6% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as slower than average relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 300 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is Master's degree. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of A for this role, with a fatality rate of 1.5 per 100,000 and injury rate of 0.7 per 100.

Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. Illinois pays the highest state median at $140,770, which is +33% above the national figure. The top metro is San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $134,770 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.

BLS OEWS May 2025 2,260 jobs Median $106,030/yr

Median Salary

$106,030

per year

Median Hourly

$50.98/hr

per hour

Mean Salary

$114,920

average

Employment

2,260

jobs nationwide

How does this pay compare nationally?

Where Sociologists pay sits nationally

Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median

$106,030 Top 13% higher than 87% of 825 US occupations

$0–$20,000: 0 US occupations (0%). Below this entry. $20,000–$40,000: 98 US occupations (12%). Below this entry. $40,000–$60,000: 298 US occupations (36%). Below this entry. $60,000–$80,000: 209 US occupations (25%). Below this entry. $80,000–$100,000: 82 US occupations (10%). Below this entry. $100,000–$120,000: 58 US occupations (7%). This entry sits in this band. $120,000–$140,000: 32 US occupations (4%). Above this entry. $140,000–$160,000: 14 US occupations (2%). Above this entry. $160,000–$180,000: 9 US occupations (1%). Above this entry. $180,000–$200,000: 25 US occupations (3%). Above this entry. This job $0 $200,000 every BLS occupation, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025

Does this job pay well and grow?

Each dot is a 19-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Sociologists; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).

Among 25 19-series occupations with growth data, Sociologists sits on the slower-growing side at +3.6% growth and $106,030 median pay.

Among 25 19-series occupations with growth data, Sociologists sits on the slower-growing side at +3.6% growth and $106,030 median pay. Scatter plot of 25 data points. $0$50000$100000$150000$200000 -5%0%5%10%15% Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) Median annual wage
Among 25 19-series occupations with growth data, Sociologists sits on the slower-growing side at +3.6% growth and $106,030 median pay.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).

Job Outlook (2024–2034)

Projected Growth

+3.6%

Slower than average

Annual Openings

300

per year (projected)

Typical Education

Master's degree

Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034

Workplace Safety

All safety ratings →
A

Very Safe

Safety Grade (BLS 2023)

Fatality Rate

1.5/100K

Injury Rate

0.7/100

Danger Index

3.6/100

Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023

Career Intelligence

Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Sociologists roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.

Top Skills

Active Listening 4.1
Speaking 4.1
Reading Comprehension 4.0
Writing 4.0
Critical Thinking 4.0
Active Learning 4.0
Learning Strategies 3.9
Social Perceptiveness 3.9
Instructing 3.6
Complex Problem Solving 3.6

Knowledge Areas

Sociology and Anthropology 5.0
English Language 4.6
Education and Training 4.2
Mathematics 3.5
History and Archeology 3.4
Computers and Electronics 3.4
Law and Government 3.2
Psychology 3.1
Philosophy and Theology 3.1
Communications and Media 2.8

Key Tasks

  • ▸ Analyze and interpret data to increase the understanding of human social behavior.
  • ▸ Prepare publications and reports containing research findings.
  • ▸ Develop, implement, and evaluate methods of data collection, such as questionnaires or interviews.
  • ▸ Collect data about the attitudes, values, and behaviors of people in groups, using observation, interviews, and review of documents.
  • ▸ Teach sociology.
  • ▸ Plan and conduct research to develop and test theories about societal issues such as crime, group relations, poverty, and aging.
  • ▸ Present research findings at professional meetings.
  • ▸ Explain sociological research to the general public.
  • ▸ Develop problem intervention procedures, using techniques such as interviews, consultations, role playing, and participant observation of group interactions.
  • ▸ Consult with and advise individuals such as administrators, social workers, and legislators regarding social issues and policies, as well as the implications of research findings.

Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.

Salary Range

Annual Salary Distribution

$65,160$82,300$106,030$137,420$172,550
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

Hourly Rate Distribution

$31.33$39.57$50.98$66.07$82.96
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

10th Percentile

$65,160

25th Percentile

$82,300

Median

$106,030

75th Percentile

$137,420

90th Percentile

$172,550

Salary by State

Highest Paying States

1. Illinois $140,770 2. Kentucky $136,870 3. North Carolina $126,760 4. California $125,770 5. Alaska $108,170

Lowest Paying States

7. Florida $46,950 8. Ohio $78,850 9. Michigan $88,040 10. Washington $97,170 11. Maryland $100,660
View all 11 states →
# State Median Salary vs National
1 Illinois $140,770 +33% above national
2 Kentucky $136,870 +29% above national
3 North Carolina $126,760 +20% above national
4 California $125,770 +19% above national
5 Alaska $108,170 +2% above national
6 Massachusetts $106,530 same as national
7 Maryland $100,660 5% below national
8 Washington $97,170 8% below national
9 Michigan $88,040 17% below national
10 Ohio $78,850 26% below national
11 Florida $46,950 56% below national

Salary by Metro Area

Highest Paying Metros

1. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $134,770 2. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $131,170 3. Stockton-Lodi, CA $131,170 4. Durham-Chapel Hill, NC $126,760 5. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $124,540

Lowest Paying Metros

6. Lansing-East Lansing, MI $64,180 7. Columbus, OH $82,820 8. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $97,170 9. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $103,840 10. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $106,530
View all 10 metro areas →
# Metro Area Median Salary vs National
1 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $134,770 +27% above national
2 Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $131,170 +24% above national
3 Stockton-Lodi, CA $131,170 +24% above national
4 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC $126,760 +20% above national
5 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $124,540 +17% above national
6 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $106,530 same as national
7 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $103,840 2% below national
8 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $97,170 8% below national
9 Columbus, OH $82,820 22% below national
10 Lansing-East Lansing, MI $64,180 39% below national

Similar Occupations in the Same Category

Other roles in SOC major group 19 (life physical and social science) with comparable pay and career paths.

Agricultural Technicians

SOC 19-4012

Animal Scientists

SOC 19-1011

Anthropologists and Archeologists

SOC 19-3091

Astronomers

SOC 19-2011

Atmospheric and Space Scientists

SOC 19-2021
Compare Sociologists side-by-side with another occupation →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Sociologists make? ▼
The median annual salary for Sociologists is $106,030 ($50.98/hour). The salary range spans from $65,160 at the 10th percentile to $172,550 at the 90th percentile.
What state pays Sociologists the most? ▼
Illinois pays the highest median salary for Sociologists at $140,770/year, which is +33% above the national median.
What education do you need to become a Sociologists? ▼
The typical entry-level education for Sociologists is Master's degree.
How dangerous is being a Sociologists? ▼
Sociologists has a safety grade of A (Very Safe) based on BLS data. The fatality rate is 1.5 per 100,000 workers and the injury rate is 0.7 per 100 workers.
Is Sociologists a good career? ▼
Employment for Sociologists is projected to grow 3.6% from 2024 to 2034, which is slower than average. About 300 openings are projected each year.
How does Sociologists pay vary by state? ▼
Sociologists salaries vary significantly by state. The highest-paying state is Illinois at $140,770/year, while Maryland pays the least at $100,660/year. BLS data covers 11 states and territories.
Which metro areas pay the most for Sociologists? ▼
The highest-paying metro area for Sociologists is San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $134,770/year. BLS reports wage data for 10 metro areas for this occupation, with pay varying based on local demand and cost of living.

What to do with this data

How to use Sociologists pay figures in a real decision

  • For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $137,420/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
  • Location moves pay significantly: Illinois leads at $140,770/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
  • Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs

These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.

Data as of May 2025. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 annual release. Employment projections from BLS Employment Projections program, 2024–2034. Data reflects cross-industry estimates for all ownership types.

These are survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. See how to use them.

Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.