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.
Sociologists
SOC: 19-3041 O*NET: 19-3041.00
Median Salary
$101,690
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3.6%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
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.
What does a Sociologists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$60,710
10th percentile
Early Career
$78,150
25th percentile
Median
$101,690
50th percentile
Experienced
$134,780
75th percentile
Top Earners
$168,590
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$60,710
25th
$78,150
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$101,690
Mean: $111,670
75th
$134,780
90th
$168,590
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $107,880 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $78,150 and $134,780
- •Salary spread is 55.7% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 2,950 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:3,400
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services43.7%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services43.7%
Scientific Research and Development Services39.7%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+3.6%
Annual Openings:300
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)3,400
Current
2034 (Projected)3,600
+3.6%
+100
Employment Change
+3.6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Sociologists professionals work across the United States
Showing 13 of 13 locations
California
660 jobs$120,6101.92x
Massachusetts
600 jobs$103,5108.57x
North Carolina
240 jobs$108,0602.54x
Florida
180 jobs$40,0000.98x
Ohio
110 jobs$77,5601.04x
Wisconsin
100 jobs$82,5701.85x
Maryland
90 jobs$95,3001.78x
Washington
90 jobs$88,3301.38x
New York
50 jobs$130,1800.25x
Minnesota
30 jobs$79,3700.58x
Oregon
0 jobs$211,5600.00x
Illinois
0 jobs$134,7300.00x
Michigan
0 jobs$82,9100.00x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Speaking
94%
#3
Reading Comprehension
86%
#4
Writing
80%
#5
Active Learning
74%
#6
Critical Thinking
66%
#7
Learning Strategies
60%
#8
Social Perceptiveness
54%
#9
Judgment and Decision Making
46%
#10
Complex Problem Solving
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.3
86%
Writing
intermediate4.0
80%
Active Learning
intermediate3.7
74%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.3
66%
Learning Strategies
intermediate3.0
60%
Social Perceptiveness
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Active Learning
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Learning Strategies
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Historians100%
5 shared skills
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers82%
5 shared skills
Urologists82%
5 shared skills
Anthropologists and Archeologists82%
5 shared skills
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary82%
5 shared skills
Audiologists82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Writing
Learn on the Job:
- →Learning Strategies
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Writing
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Writing
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Active Learning
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Sociologists
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
IBM SPSS Statistics
🔥 Hot TechSAS
🔥 Hot TechSalesforce software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechESRI ArcGIS software
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Photoshop
🔥 Hot TechR
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
IBM SPSS Statistics
SAS
Salesforce software
Microsoft Access
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
ESRI ArcGIS software
Adobe Photoshop
R
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
15
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Analysis & Evaluation (3)Planning & Development (4)General Responsibilities (5)Training & Development (1)Communication & Coordination (1)
1
Prepare publications and reports containing research findings.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Analyze and interpret data to increase the understanding of human social behavior.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation97% perform98%
3
Plan and conduct research to develop and test theories about societal issues such as crime, group relations, poverty, and aging.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development94% perform96%
4
Collect data about the attitudes, values, and behaviors of people in groups, using observation, interviews, and review of documents.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Develop, implement, and evaluate methods of data collection, such as questionnaires or interviews.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
Teach sociology.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development85% perform90%
7
Direct work of statistical clerks, statisticians, and others who compile and evaluate research data.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation82% perform88%
8
Consult with and advise individuals such as administrators, social workers, and legislators regarding social issues and policies, as well as the implications of research findings.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Collaborate with research workers in other disciplines.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Communication & Coordination76% perform84%
10
Develop approaches to the solution of groups' problems, based on research findings in sociology and related disciplines.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
- •47% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Sociologists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Sociologists professionals typically have a ISA Holland code and highly value achievement
IInvestigative
SSocial
AArtistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Sociologists
Analytical Thinking
CriticalAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.85
Persistence
CriticalPersistence
Importance Level4.55
Initiative
CriticalInitiative
Importance Level4.55
Achievement/Effort
CriticalAchievement/Effort
Importance Level4.50
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.32
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.30
Complete Work Styles Profile
Analytical Thinking
4.8
Persistence
4.5
Initiative
4.5
Achievement/Effort
4.5
Independence
4.3
Integrity
4.3
Attention to Detail
4.2
Innovation
4.1
Stress Tolerance
4.0
Dependability
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Training:
Extensive training and work experience required
💼 Experience Requirement
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Master's or doctoral degree
- • Extensive work experience in the field
- • State licensure or professional certification
5
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification
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