SOC 19-3041 · Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
Sociologists wages by metro
National median annual wage
$106,030
- 10th percentile
- $65,160
- 25th percentile
- $82,300
- Median
- $106,030
- 75th percentile
- $137,420
- 90th percentile
- $172,550
- Mean
- $114,920
Annual wage from the May 2025 OEWS estimates.
National employment in May 2025: 2,260.
That median is 108% higher than the all-occupations national median of $50,980.
The metro and state figures below are the same May 2025 release. A blank wage means BLS did not publish it. See when a wage is not published.
Highest published medians
| Occupation | Employment | 10th | Median | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 110 | $88,630 | $134,770 | $165,830 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 40 | $89,280 | $131,170 | $162,230 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 30 | $70,580 | $131,170 | $155,800 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | Not available | $68,610 | $126,760 | $213,140 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 70 | $82,690 | $124,540 | $178,050 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 240 | $65,400 | $106,530 | $190,440 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 60 | $67,770 | $103,840 | $162,680 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 90 | $80,640 | $97,170 | $138,000 |
| Columbus, OH | 100 | $68,040 | $82,820 | $102,610 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | 60 | $52,520 | $64,180 | $111,450 |
Where employment is largest
| Occupation | Employment | 10th | Median | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 240 | $65,400 | $106,530 | $190,440 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 110 | $88,630 | $134,770 | $165,830 |
| Columbus, OH | 100 | $68,040 | $82,820 | $102,610 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 90 | $80,640 | $97,170 | $138,000 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 70 | $82,690 | $124,540 | $178,050 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | 60 | $52,520 | $64,180 | $111,450 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 60 | $67,770 | $103,840 | $162,680 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 40 | $89,280 | $131,170 | $162,230 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 30 | $70,580 | $131,170 | $155,800 |
States and territories
| Occupation | Employment | 10th | Median | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | Not available | $76,320 | $140,770 | $229,480 |
| Kentucky | 30 | $102,540 | $136,870 | $162,350 |
| North Carolina | 170 | $69,980 | $126,760 | $212,260 |
| California | 590 | $85,030 | $125,770 | $161,710 |
| Alaska | 40 | $65,340 | $108,170 | $152,620 |
| Massachusetts | 250 | $65,400 | $106,530 | $190,440 |
| Maryland | 50 | $67,770 | $100,660 | $162,680 |
| Washington | 130 | $80,640 | $97,170 | $138,000 |
| Michigan | 90 | $52,520 | $88,040 | $158,420 |
| Ohio | 130 | $68,040 | $78,850 | $104,560 |
| Florida | 160 | $39,150 | $46,950 | $171,360 |
Other life, physical, and social science occupations
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
- Chemists
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
- Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other
- Biological Technicians
- School Psychologists
Questions this page answers
What is the national median wage for Sociologists?
In the May 2025 OEWS estimates, the national median annual wage for Sociologists is $106,030. Employment is 2,260.
How does Sociologists pay compare with all occupations?
The national median for Sociologists is 108% higher than the all-occupations median of $50,980.
Which metro has the highest published median for Sociologists?
Among metros with a published annual median in the May 2025 tables, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is highest on this page's list at $134,770.