What Does a Sociologist Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a sociologist do?

Sociologists study society and social behavior by examining the groups, cultures, organizations, social institutions and processes that people develop. The median pay is $106,030 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 2–6 years after a bachelor’s, and employment is projected to grow +3.8% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$106,030
$50.98/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+3.8%
2025–35, about as fast as average
Openings per year
200
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
Master's degree
BLS classification
Time to train
2–6 years after a bachelor’s
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
2,700
Employment, 2025

What sociologists do

Sociologists study how society works. They design surveys and interviews, analyze data on families, work, health, crime and inequality, and advise governments, nonprofits and companies.

Most have a master’s degree or Ph.D. It is a very small occupation outside of teaching.

Typical duties

Design studies
Collect data
Analyze data
Write reports
Present findings
Advise policy
Publish research

Work environment and schedule

Sociologists work in offices for research firms, government and nonprofits.

Schedule: Full-time business hours.

A day in the life

9:00 AMReview survey data.
10:30 AMConduct an interview.
12:00 PMCode transcripts.
2:00 PMRun statistical models.

See a full day in the life of a sociologist →

Sociologist salary

Half of sociologists earned more than $106,030 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $65,160 for the lowest 10% to $172,550 for the top 10%.

$65,16010th$106,030Median$172,55090th

Full sociologist pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a sociologist

Earn a sociology bachelor’s
Work as a research assistant
Earn a graduate degree
Publish or build a portfolio
Get hired

A master’s degree or Ph.D. in sociology is typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a sociologist →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Research design
Survey methods
Qualitative analysis
Statistics
Writing

People skills

Curiosity
Empathy
Objectivity
Communication

All sociologist skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Meaningful topics
Research skills
Policy influence
Good pay

Cons

Very small field
Grad degree needed
Funding pressure
Desk-heavy

Certifications and licenses

Master’s or Ph.D.: Typical.
IRB training: Research ethics.
Survey methods training: Helpful.
Data analysis certificates: Helpful.

Career path

Research Assistant: Entry.
Sociologist: Research.
Senior Researcher: Lead.
Research Director: Lead programs.

Learn the job before day one

Our Sociologist training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as design a mixed-methods study and write a policy brief from research, safety and how to land your first job.

View Sociologist training Is this career right for me?

Sociology Professor

Teach how societies, groups and institutions shape people’s lives.

$84,290
5–7 years after a bachelor’s

Survey Researcher

Design surveys and analyze what people think and do.

$69,460
2 years after a bachelor’s

Social Science Research Assistant

Help researchers collect and analyze data on people and society.

$61,990
Entry-level with a degree

Social Worker

Help children and families stay safe, get support and overcome hard times.

$59,550
4 years (BSW); 6 years for MSW

Compare: Sociologist vs. Sociology Professor · Sociologist vs. Survey Researcher · Sociologist vs. Social Science Research Assistant · Sociologist vs. Social Worker

Sociologist FAQ

Do sociologists need a graduate degree?

Usually.

Where do they work outside teaching?

Research firms, government and nonprofits.

Is the field small?

Yes, very small outside academia.

How much does a sociologist make?

The median annual wage for sociologists was $106,030 ($50.98 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $65,160 and the highest 10% earned more than $172,550.

How long does it take to become a sociologist?

Most people need about 2–6 years after a bachelor’s of training. A master’s degree or Ph.D. in sociology is typical.

Do you need a degree to be a sociologist?

Yes. BLS lists a master's degree as the typical entry-level education.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 19-3041 (Sociologists).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Sociologists (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Sociologist