Sociologists Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
The median pay for a sociologists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $95,310/year ($45.82/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $65K at the entry level to $149K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $87,537 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,246/month — about 37.5% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $95K 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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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Entry-level sociologists (10th percentile) start around $65K. Mid-career wages sit at $95K. Top earners bring in $149K or more, a $84K 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 |
Showing 1–10 of 13 states
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
How much do sociologists make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median is $95,310 a year, that works out to about $46 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $64,860, and experienced sociologists can clear $148,680. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $95K enough to live in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,848/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,246/month, which eats 38.4% 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 $87,537 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.