Sociologists Salary
The median pay for a sociologists in Maryland is $100,660/year ($48.39/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $68K at the entry level to $163K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.76), that's roughly $101,924 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,795/month, or 29% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Maryland. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $101K get you in Maryland?
About sociologists
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What this looks like in Maryland
Sociologists pay in Maryland tracks closely to the national median, $101K locally vs. $106K nationwide, a 5% difference. Rent runs $1,795/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 28.9% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 98.76) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Maryland
Entry-level sociologists (10th percentile) start around $68K. Mid-career wages sit at $101K. Top earners bring in $163K or more, a $95K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track sociologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Maryland numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a sociologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Maryland?
Yes — at the median salary of $101K, rent takes 28.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,795/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for sociologists in Maryland?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new sociologists typically earn — is $68K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,066/month. At HUD’s $1,795/month FMR, rent would take 44% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is sociologist a high-paying job in Maryland?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $101K locally vs. $106K nationally, a 5% difference.
How does Maryland compare to the national average for sociologists?
Maryland pays $101K median vs. the U.S. average of $106K — that’s -5%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 98.76), the purchasing-power equivalent is $102K — below the national median.
How much do sociologists make in Maryland?
The median is $100,660 a year, that works out to about $48 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $67,770, and experienced sociologists can clear $162,680. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $101K enough to live in Maryland?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,216/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,795/month, which eats 28.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a sociologists salary go in Maryland?
Maryland has a Regional Price Parity of 98.76 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median sociologists salary is worth about $101,924 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do sociologists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.