Sociologists Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for sociologists is $106,030, or $50.98 per hour. About 2,260 people work in this occupation nationwide. Wages vary substantially by state — from $140,770 in Illinois to $46,950 in Florida.
Wage distribution nationwide
Earnings spread across all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Salary by state
All 11 states with published data, ranked by median annual wage.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Illinois | $140,770 | $67.68 | — | — |
| 2 | Kentucky | $136,870 | $65.80 | 30 | 1.16 |
| 3 | North Carolina | $126,760 | $60.94 | 170 | 2.43 |
| 4 | California | $125,770 | $60.47 | 590 | 2.24 |
| 5 | Alaska | $108,170 | $52.01 | 40 | 7.45 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $106,530 | $51.22 | 250 | 4.71 |
| 7 | Maryland | $100,660 | $48.39 | 50 | 1.34 |
| 8 | Washington | $97,170 | $46.72 | 130 | 2.57 |
| 9 | Michigan | $88,040 | $42.33 | 90 | 1.40 |
| 10 | Ohio | $78,850 | $37.91 | 130 | 1.59 |
| 11 | Florida | $46,950 | $22.57 | 160 | 1.13 |
Related occupations
Same job family, ranked by national employment.
Frequently asked questions
How much do sociologists make?
The median annual wage for sociologists in the United States is $106,030, or $50.98 per hour. Entry-level workers (10th percentile) earn $65,160, and the top 10% earn $172,550.
How many sociologists are employed in the U.S.?
About 2,260 people work as sociologists nationwide.
Which state pays sociologists the most?
Illinois pays the most at a median of $140,770, followed by Kentucky ($136,870) and North Carolina ($126,760).
Which state pays sociologists the least?
Florida has the lowest median at $46,950.
Where are sociologists jobs most concentrated?
The location quotient measures employment concentration relative to the national average. The highest is Alaska at 7.45×.