Sociologists Salary
The median pay for a sociologists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $103,840/year ($49.93/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $68K at the entry level to $163K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $95,371 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,246/month, about 35.1% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $104K get you in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Washington-Arlington-Alexandria’s Regional Price Parity (108.88). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About sociologists
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What this looks like in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Sociologists pay in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria tracks closely to the national median, $104K locally vs. $106K nationwide, a 2% difference. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $2,246/month, which is 35.7% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost-of-living overall is 9% above the national average (BEA RPP 108.88), so groceries and services cost more too. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Entry-level sociologists (10th percentile) start around $68K. Mid-career wages sit at $104K. Top earners bring in $163K or more, a $95K spread from bottom to top.
Sociologists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Sociologists salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $141K | +33% | N/A |
| Kentucky | $137K | +29% | 30 |
| North Carolina | $127K | +20% | 170 |
| California | $126K | +19% | 590 |
| Alaska | $108K | +2% | 40 |
| Massachusetts | $107K | +0% | 250 |
| Maryland | $101K | -5% | 50 |
| Washington | $97K | -8% | 130 |
| Michigan | $88K | -17% | 90 |
| Ohio | $79K | -26% | 130 |
| Florida | $47K | -56% | 160 |
Showing 1–10 of 11 states with published data
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track sociologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington-Arlington-Alexandria numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a sociologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $104K, rent takes 35.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,246/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,900/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for sociologists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
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 $2,246/month FMR, rent would take 55% 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $104K locally vs. $106K nationally, a 2% difference.
How does Washington-Arlington-Alexandria compare to the national average for sociologists?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria pays $104K median vs. the U.S. average of $106K — that’s -2%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 108.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $95K — below the national median.
How much do sociologists make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median is $103,840 a year, that works out to about $50 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 $104K enough to live in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,288/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,246/month, which eats 35.7% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a sociologists salary go in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median sociologists salary is worth about $95,371 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.