Sociologists
Study human society and social behavior by examining the groups and social institutions that people form, as well as various social, religious, political, and business organizations. May study the behavior and interaction of groups, trace their origin and growth, and analyze the influence of group activities on individual members.
Also called: Demographer · Evaluation Specialist · Medical Sociologist · Policy Analyst · Research Associate · Research Coordinator
Median pay (national)
$101,690
$60,710–$168,590 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
2,950
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+3.6%
~300 openings/yr
Typical entry
Master's degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for sociologists shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $168,590 versus $60,710 at the bottom 10% — 2.8x. The median of $101,690 leaves roughly 66% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +3.6% from 2024 to 2034 — about as fast as the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 300 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 13 states with released data, Oregon pays the most for this role (median $211,560, +108% vs the national median), while Florida sits lowest at $40,000 — a 429% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Speaking, Reading Comprehension as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Monitoring
- Science
- Mathematics
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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.
Tools & technology
- Adobe Photoshop
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft Windows
- R
- Salesforce software
- SAP software
- SAS
- Adobe Dreamweaver
- ATLAS.ti
- Circle Systems Stat/Transfer
- Data visualization software
- Database management system DBMS
- Fund accounting software
Knowledge areas
- Sociology and Anthropology
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Mathematics
- History and Archeology
- Computers and Electronics
- Law and Government
- Psychology