How much does a sociologist make?
The median sociologist in the United States earns $101,690 per year, about $48.89 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all sociologists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 19-3041.
Sociologist salary range
Pay for sociologists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $60,710 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $168,590. The average (mean) wage of $111,670 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $60,710 | $29.19 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $78,150 | $37.57 | |
| Median (50th) | $101,690 | $48.89 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $134,780 | $64.80 | |
| 90th percentile | $168,590 | $81.05 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for sociologists (SOC 19-3041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Sociologist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Sociologists earn the most in Oregon at $211,560 a year, and the least in Florida at $40,000. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $211,560 | N/A |
| Illinois | $134,730 | N/A |
| New York | $130,180 | 50 |
| California | $120,610 | 660 |
| North Carolina | $108,060 | 240 |
| Massachusetts | $103,510 | 600 |
| Maryland | $95,300 | 90 |
| Washington | $88,330 | 90 |
| Michigan | $82,910 | N/A |
| Wisconsin | $82,570 | 100 |
| Minnesota | $79,370 | 30 |
| Ohio | $77,560 | 110 |
| Florida | $40,000 | 180 |
State median wages for sociologists (SOC 19-3041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for sociologists
The BLS projects employment of sociologists to grow 3.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 2,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 2,800 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 200 openings a year for sociologists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a sociologist
The typical entry-level education for sociologists is a master's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a sociologist earns
Degree level, employer type, and field of research drive the numbers. Roles in private industry and government labs often pay above academic and entry-level positions.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Oregon, $211,560) and the lowest (Florida, $40,000) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 2,950 people work as sociologists in the United States. At $101,690 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Sociologist salary FAQ
How much does a sociologist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a sociologist is $48.89. The middle half of sociologists earn between $37.57 and $64.80 per hour.
What is the highest sociologist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of sociologists earn more than $168,590 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a sociologist make a year?
The median annual salary for a sociologist is $101,690. The average (mean) wage of $111,670 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a sociologist a well paid job?
At $101,690 a year, a sociologist earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 2,950 people work as sociologists in the United States.
Which state pays sociologists the most?
Oregon has the highest median salary for sociologists at $211,560 a year. Illinois ($134,730) and New York ($130,180) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a sociologist a good career?
Employment of sociologists is projected to grow 3.8% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a sociologist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for sociologists as a master's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
Related salaries
See more in Science salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.