Sociologists

Median salary, education path, job outlook, and related careers — based on U.S. labor data.

What a Sociologists does

Sociologists study human behavior, social structures, and society to understand how people interact, form communities, and create culture and institutions. They research topics like inequality, family dynamics, and social change to inform public policy and social understanding.

Education & path

The typical entry point is a doctoral degree. About 8+ years of higher education.

Estimated cost of that path: ~$110,000. Estimated payback: ~5 years. Estimates only — actual cost varies widely by school and financial aid; payback assumes ~20% of income applied.

Related careers

• Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $103,410/yr
• Occupational Health and Safety Specialists — $90,150/yr
• Environmental Restoration Planners — $82,220/yr
• Industrial Ecologists — $82,220/yr
• Climate Change Policy Analysts — $82,220/yr