Sociologists Salary
The median sociologists salary in the United States is $106,030 per year ($50.98/hour). Salaries range from $65,160 at the entry level to $172,550+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 2,260 sociologists jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 3.6% through 2034.
Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Median Salary
$106,030
per year
Hourly Rate
$50.98
per hour
Employment
2,260
jobs in the U.S.
Salary Distribution
10th percentile
$65,160
25th percentile
$82,300
Median
$106,030
75th percentile
$137,420
90th percentile
$172,550
Job Growth (2024-2034)
+3.6%
As fast as average
Annual Openings
300
jobs/year (growth + replacements)
Education Required
Master's degree
Sociologists Salary by State
Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →Salary Map — Click a state for details
$47K$141K■ No data
Top Paying States
Illinois
$141K
+33%
Kentucky
$137K
+29%
North Carolina
$127K
+20%
California
$126K
+19%
Alaska
$108K
+2%
Massachusetts
$107K
+0%
Maryland
$101K
-5%
Washington
$97K
-8%
Michigan
$88K
-17%
Ohio
$79K
-26%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
| State | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $140,770 | +32.8% |
| Kentucky | $136,870 | +29.1% |
| North Carolina | $126,760 | +19.6% |
| California | $125,770 | +18.6% |
| Alaska | $108,170 | +2.0% |
| Massachusetts | $106,530 | +0.5% |
| Maryland | $100,660 | -5.1% |
| Washington | $97,170 | -8.4% |
| Michigan | $88,040 | -17.0% |
| Ohio | $78,850 | -25.6% |
Showing 1–10 of 11
Sociologists Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $134,770 | +27.1% |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $131,170 | +23.7% |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $131,170 | +23.7% |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $126,760 | +19.6% |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $124,540 | +17.5% |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $106,530 | +0.5% |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $103,840 | -2.1% |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $97,170 | -8.4% |
| Columbus, OH | $82,820 | -21.9% |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $64,180 | -39.5% |
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
How does this compare to pro athletes?
A sociologists earning $106,030/year would need 562 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 604 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
See all sports & celebrity salaries →📈 See how sociologists salaries have changed over the past decade.
View Sociologists salary trend (2011–2024) →