Sociologist Salary
Sociologists earn a median $106,030 a year nationally. Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
What sociologists do
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.
- Typical education
- Master's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +3.8% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 200
- Self-employed
- 6%
Employment of sociologists is projected to grow 3.8% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 200 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Sociologist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$14,497
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,574
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,537
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$83,422
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,160 | $31.33 | $54,536 |
| 25th percentile | $82,300 | $39.57 | $66,728 |
| Median (50th) | $106,030 | $50.98 | $83,422 |
| 75th percentile | $137,420 | $66.07 | $105,193 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $172,550 | $82.96 | $129,204 |
Sociologist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $140,770 | +4.5% | $100,659 | $76,320 – $229,480 | — |
| Kentucky | $136,870 | — | $100,144 | $102,540 – $162,350 | 30 |
| North Carolina | $126,760 | +17.3% | $93,357 | $69,980 – $212,260 | 170 |
| California | $125,770 | +4.3% | $88,128 | $85,030 – $161,710 | 590 |
| Alaska | $108,170 | — | $84,928 | $65,340 – $152,620 | 40 |
| Massachusetts | $106,530 | +2.9% | $78,667 | $65,400 – $190,440 | 250 |
| Maryland | $100,660 | +5.6% | $75,227 | $67,770 – $162,680 | 50 |
| Washington | $97,170 | +10.0% | $77,189 | $80,640 – $138,000 | 130 |
| Michigan | $88,040 | +6.2% | $67,275 | $52,520 – $158,420 | 90 |
| Ohio | $78,850 | +1.7% | $62,915 | $68,040 – $104,560 | 130 |
| Florida | $46,950 | +17.4% | $39,904 | $39,150 – $171,360 | 160 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geographer | $102,040 | Bachelor's degree | -2.1% |
| Psychologists, All Other | $110,840 | Master's degree | +2.3% |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $101,110 | Bachelor's degree | -0.2% |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $100,580 | Doctoral or professional degree | +11.7% |
| School Psychologist | $95,990 | Master's degree | +0.8% |
| Urban and Regional Planner | $89,320 | Master's degree | +3.9% |
| Economist | $124,720 | Master's degree | +4.7% |
| Historian | $76,750 | Master's degree | +3.0% |
| Anthropologist and Archeologist | $70,770 | Master's degree | +6.0% |
| Political Scientist | $142,080 | Master's degree | -2.0% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a sociologist make?
The national median salary for sociologists is $106,030 a year ($50.98 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $65,160 and the top 10% earn over $172,550. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays sociologists the most?
Illinois has the highest median pay at $140,770.
How many sociologists are there in the U.S.?
About 2,260 people work as sociologists nationwide.