Occupations · Life, Physical, and Social Science

Sociologists

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.

O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 19-3041.00

$101,690median annual wage, May 2024

2,950people employed, United States

▲ 3.6%projected change, 2024→2034

300openings a year, incl. replacements

What it pays

A single “average salary” hides the spread. This is the whole distribution — the gap between the bottom and top bar is usually the number that matters.

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 · national, cross-industry · annual wage

Pay over time

Median up 87% between 2003 and 2024, before inflation. The band shows the 10th to 90th percentile.

BLS OEWS, one release per year. Before May 2011 only national estimates were published, so geography detail starts there.

Where the jobs are

Metro area	Median wage	Employed
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$103,510	570
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA	$132,200	150
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA	$114,230	140
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$95,310	100
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC	$108,050	80
Columbus, OH	$79,300	80
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$87,630	60
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$128,600	60
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$108,990	60
Lansing-East Lansing, MI	$60,710	60
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	$111,750	50
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA	$130,180	40

BLS OEWS May 2024, metropolitan estimates · the 12 areas with the most people in this occupation

Typical education to enter: Master's degree · BLS Employment Projections 2024–34

What people in this job actually do

Ordered by how important the work is rated.

Analyze and interpret data to increase the understanding of human social behavior.
Prepare publications and reports containing research findings.
Collect data about the attitudes, values, and behaviors of people in groups, using observation, interviews, and review of documents.
Develop, implement, and evaluate methods of data collection, such as questionnaires or interviews.
Plan and conduct research to develop and test theories about societal issues such as crime, group relations, poverty, and aging.
Teach sociology.
Present research findings at professional meetings.
Explain sociological research to the general public.
Develop problem intervention procedures, using techniques such as interviews, consultations, role playing, and participant observation of group interactions.
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.
Direct work of statistical clerks, statisticians, and others who compile and evaluate research data.
Collaborate with research workers in other disciplines.

O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale

Skills that matter most

Importance, rated 1 to 5.

Active Listening4.1

Speaking4.1

Reading Comprehension4.0

Active Learning4.0

Critical Thinking4.0

Writing4.0

Learning Strategies3.9

Monitoring3.5

Science3.1

Mathematics2.9

O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale

Software and tools

A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.

Adobe Acrobat●Adobe Photoshop●ESRI ArcGIS software●Facebook●IBM SPSS Statistics●Microsoft Access●Microsoft Excel●Microsoft Office software●Microsoft Outlook●Microsoft PowerPoint●Microsoft Project●Microsoft Visio●Microsoft Windows●Microsoft Word●R●SAP software●SAS●Salesforce software●ATLAS.tiAdobe DreamweaverCircle Systems Stat/TransferData visualization softwareDatabase management system DBMSEmail softwareFund accounting softwareHelios TextPadMicrosoft PublisherMuthen & Muthen Mplus

O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag

What this work is actually like

Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.

5 / 5Extensive preparation — graduate school, and often a licence on top.

O*NET 30.3 Job Zones

Working conditions that stand out

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets−1.9 below average

Public Speaking+1.5 above average

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls−1.4 below average

Exposed to Contaminants−1.4 below average

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled−1.2 below average

Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body−1.2 below average

Health and Safety of Other Workers−1.2 below average

O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2023-08

How people actually get in

Share of workers by the education they hold.

Doctoral Degree50%

Master's Degree30%

Bachelor's Degree10%

Post-Doctoral Training10%

O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2023-08

What kind of person the work suits

Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.

Investigative6.5

Social4.4

Artistic4.0

O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)

Tasks O*NET flags as emerging

Mentor sociology students.
Review sociological research and articles.

O*NET 30.3 emerging tasks

What you take with you

Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.

Social Perceptiveness3.9

Instructing3.6

Complex Problem Solving3.6

Judgment and Decision Making3.6

Systems Analysis3.1

Systems Evaluation3.1

Coordination3.1

Service Orientation3.0

O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale

Knowledge the work draws on

Sociology and AnthropologyEnglish LanguageEducation and TrainingMathematicsHistory and ArcheologyComputers and Electronics

Abilities it leans on

Oral ExpressionOral ComprehensionInductive ReasoningWritten ComprehensionWritten ExpressionDeductive Reasoning

O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale

How this job is advertised

The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.

PenologistDemographerSociologistCriminologistPolicy AdvisorPolicy AnalystPolicy OfficerSocial ScientistProgram EvaluatorRural SociologistUrban SociologistClinical EvaluatorFamily SociologistResearch Associate

O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation

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What changed since 2015

Comparing O*NET release 20.1 (2015-10-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning. 2 entries that were only relabelled between releases are left out.

Now listed 12

+Facebook+Data visualization software+Social media sites+Fund accounting software+Microsoft Outlook+Adobe Acrobat+Microsoft Windows+IBM SPSS Statistics+Adobe Dreamweaver+Salesforce software+SAP software+Adobe Photoshop

No longer listed 5

−Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop software−Data entry software−Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat−SPSS software−Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver

Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.

O*NET 30.3 related occupations

Also called

ProfessorPenologistSociologistDemographerCriminologistStudy DirectorPolicy AdvisorPolicy AnalystCareer AnalystPolicy OfficerResearch FellowSocial Scientist

O*NET 30.3 alternative titles

The same work in Europe

ESCO occupation	ISCO	Match
sociologist	2632.6	exact
social work researcher	2632.6.1	close
media scientist	2632.1.2	close
anthropologist	2632.1	broader
criminologist	2632.4	broader
behavioural scientist	2632.3	broader
political scientist	2633.3	broader

Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)

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