Sociologists Salary in U.S. (2024)
The median pay for a sociologists in U.S. is $101,690/year ($48.89/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $61K at the entry level to $169K for experienced workers.
Updated
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024
So what does $102K get you in U.S.?
About sociologists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, U.S.
Entry-level sociologists (10th percentile) start around $61K. Mid-career wages sit at $102K.Top earners bring in $169K or more - a $108K spread from bottom to top.
Sociologists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $212K | +108% | N/A |
| Illinois | $135K | +32% | N/A |
| New York | $130K | +28% | 50 |
| California | $121K | +19% | 660 |
| North Carolina | $108K | +6% | 240 |
| Massachusetts | $104K | +2% | 600 |
| Maryland | $95K | -6% | 90 |
| Washington | $88K | -13% | 90 |
| Michigan | $83K | -18% | N/A |
| Wisconsin | $83K | -19% | 100 |
| Minnesota | $79K | -22% | 30 |
| Ohio | $78K | -24% | 110 |
| Florida | $40K | -61% | 180 |
Track sociologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when U.S. numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do sociologists make in U.S.?
The median is $101,690 a year - that works out to about $48.89 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $60,710, and experienced sociologists can clear $168,590. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $102K enough to live in U.S.?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,660/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,412/month, which eats 21.2% 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 U.S.?
U.S. has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median sociologists salary is worth about $101,690 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.