Sociologist
What you need to know
Sociologists study society and social behavior by examining the groups, cultures, organizations, social institutions, and processes that develop when people interact and work together.
Sociologists typically work in an office. They may work outside of an office setting when conducting research through interviews or observations or presenting research results.
Some of the things sociologists might do:
- Design research projects to test theories about social issues
- Collect data through surveys, observations, interviews, and other sources
- Analyze and draw conclusions from data
- Prepare reports, articles, or presentations detailing their research findings
- Collaborate with and advise other social scientists, policymakers, or other groups on research findings and sociological issues
Watch this video to learn more from our sociologist role model:
- Analytical skills. Sociologists must be able to examine data and other information, often using statistical methods to test their theories.
- Communication skills. Sociologists need strong communication skills when they conduct interviews, collaborate with colleagues, and write and present research results.
- Critical-thinking skills. Sociologists design research projects and collect, process, and analyze information to draw logical conclusions about society and various groups of people.
Watch this video to learn more from our sociologist role model:
The average pay for sociologists in the United States was $101,770 in May 2023 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
A sociologist’s pay depends on factors such as level of experience, education and training, geographic location, and specific industry.
About 300 new job openings for sociologists are projected each year, on average, over the next 10 years in the United States.
Overall employment of sociologists is projected to grow 5 percent from 2022 to 2032 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is about as fast as the average growth rate for all occupations.
Sociologists will continue to be needed to apply sociological research to other disciplines. For example, sociologists may collaborate with researchers in other social sciences, such as economists, psychologists, and survey researchers, to study how social structures or groups influence policy decisions about health, education, politics, criminal justice, business, or economics.
Sociologists typically need a master’s degree or Ph.D. There are two types of sociology master’s degree programs: traditional programs and applied, clinical, and professional programs.
Traditional programs prepare students to enter a Ph.D. program.
Applied, clinical, and professional programs prepare students to enter the workplace, teaching them the necessary analytical skills to perform sociological research in a professional setting.
Discover some of the courses you will take pursuing a degree in Sociology.
Watch this video to learn more from our sociologist role model:
