Sociologists study societal behavior and interactions to understand social patterns and structures.
This article will explore the best states for sociologists, based on the average annual salary for the occupation.
- 1. Massachusetts ($131,700)
- 2. Pennsylvania ($127,020)
- 3. Oregon ($124,140)
- 4. Illinois ($115,460)
- 5. California ($107,960)
- 6. North Carolina ($106,990)
- 7. New York ($102,450)
- 8. Maryland ($97,630)
- 9. Washington ($86,160)
- 10. New Jersey ($85,790)
- Conclusion
Key Takeaways
- The highest-paid sociologists are in Massachusetts, where they earn an average of $131,700 per year.
- The lowest-paid sociologists are in South Dakota, where they earn an average of $54,490 per year.
- The U.S. average salary for sociologists is $88,604 per year.
1. Massachusetts ($131,700)

Sociologists in Massachusetts earn the highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
sociologists in Massachusetts is
$131,700, which is +49% from the national average.
Type | Annual Salary |
---|
Median Wage | $131,700 |
10th Percentile | $78,460 |
25th Percentile | $95,800 |
75th Percentile | $166,050 |
90th Percentile | $166,400 |
2. Pennsylvania ($127,020)

Sociologists in Pennsylvania earn the 2nd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
sociologists in Pennsylvania is
$127,020, which is +43% from the national average.
Type | Annual Salary |
---|
Median Wage | $127,020 |
10th Percentile | $63,980 |
25th Percentile | $89,940 |
75th Percentile | $165,660 |
90th Percentile | $196,280 |
3. Oregon ($124,140)

Sociologists in Oregon earn the 3rd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
sociologists in Oregon is
$124,140, which is +40% from the national average.
Type | Annual Salary |
---|
Median Wage | $124,140 |
10th Percentile | $56,850 |
25th Percentile | $90,500 |
75th Percentile | $171,050 |
90th Percentile | $193,200 |
4. Illinois ($115,460)

Sociologists in Illinois earn the 4th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
sociologists in Illinois is
$115,460, which is +30% from the national average.
Type | Annual Salary |
---|
Median Wage | $115,460 |
10th Percentile | $65,340 |
25th Percentile | $81,750 |
75th Percentile | $135,880 |
90th Percentile | $174,960 |
5. California ($107,960)

Sociologists in California earn the 5th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
sociologists in California is
$107,960, which is +22% from the national average.
Type | Annual Salary |
---|
Median Wage | $107,960 |
10th Percentile | $72,600 |
25th Percentile | $84,320 |
75th Percentile | $119,910 |
90th Percentile | $139,920 |
6. North Carolina ($106,990)

Sociologists in North Carolina earn the 6th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
sociologists in North Carolina is
$106,990, which is +21% from the national average.
Type | Annual Salary |
---|
Median Wage | $106,990 |
10th Percentile | $60,810 |
25th Percentile | $77,310 |
75th Percentile | $126,920 |
90th Percentile | $167,480 |
7. New York ($102,450)

Sociologists in New York earn the 7th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
sociologists in New York is
$102,450, which is +16% from the national average.
Type | Annual Salary |
---|
Median Wage | $102,450 |
10th Percentile | $64,350 |
25th Percentile | $78,770 |
75th Percentile | $108,680 |
90th Percentile | $170,520 |
8. Maryland ($97,630)

Sociologists in Maryland earn the 8th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
sociologists in Maryland is
$97,630, which is +10% from the national average.
Type | Annual Salary |
---|
Median Wage | $97,630 |
10th Percentile | $63,300 |
25th Percentile | $66,850 |
75th Percentile | $120,230 |
90th Percentile | $132,840 |
9. Washington ($86,160)

Sociologists in Washington earn the 9th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
sociologists in Washington is
$86,160, which is --3% from the national average.
Type | Annual Salary |
---|
Median Wage | $86,160 |
10th Percentile | $62,400 |
25th Percentile | $66,790 |
75th Percentile | $100,900 |
90th Percentile | $124,990 |
10. New Jersey ($85,790)

Sociologists in New Jersey earn the 10th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
sociologists in New Jersey is
$85,790, which is --3% from the national average.
Type | Annual Salary |
---|
Median Wage | $85,790 |
10th Percentile | $54,530 |
25th Percentile | $72,340 |
75th Percentile | $93,400 |
90th Percentile | $117,100 |
Conclusion
The highest-paid sociologists are in Massachusetts, where they earn an average of $131,700 per year. The lowest-paid sociologists are in South Dakota, where they earn an average of $54,490 per year. The U.S. average salary for sociologists is $88,604 per year and there are 2,564 jobs in the field.