Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Examining information carefully, recognizing patterns, and using evidence to reach sound conclusions.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Sociologist Many sociology programs offer opportunities to gain experience through internships or by preparing reports. Sociologists typically need at least a master’s degree to enter the occupation.
Education
Sociologists typically need a master’s degree to enter the occupation. Depending on the position, some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a Ph.D. Master's degree programs typically require applicants to have a bachelor's degree, but candidates may not need to have majored in sociology or a related social science field. Courses include research methods and statistics. Many programs also offer opportunities to gain experience through internships or by preparing reports for clients.
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Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of sociologists is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 200 openings for sociologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment 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 Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Social scientists and related workers 4% Sociologists 4% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Sociologists Do
Sociologists study society and social behavior by examining the groups, cultures, social institutions, and processes that develop when people interact and work together. They also may study specific groups, trace their origin and growth, and analyze the influence of group activities on individual members.
Duties
Sociologists typically do the following:
- 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 others, including social scientists and policymakers, regarding research findings and sociological issues
- Develop and propose strategies or policies to solve social problems
Sociologists study human behavior, interaction, and organization. They examine the effect of social influences, including organizations and institutions, on individuals and groups. They also trace the origin and growth of these groups and interactions. For example, they may research the impact of a new law or policy on a specific demographic.
Sociologists also collect data when conducting research. They use statistical analysis software to help integrate data from interviews, observations, and other sources of information.
Sociological research may help educators, lawmakers, social workers, and others to solve social problems and formulate public policy. Sociologists also may specialize in social topics, such as crime, education, health, or poverty. Their job title may reflect their area of focus; for example, sociologists who specialize in crime may be called criminologists.
Many people with a sociology background choose to work in related occupations, such as policy analysts, demographers, survey researchers, or statisticians.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Sociologists held about 2,700 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of sociologists were as follows:
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 31% |
| Scientific research and development services | 31 |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 25 |
| Grantmaking and giving services and social advocacy organizations | 2 |
Sociologists typically work in an office setting. They may work elsewhere when conducting research through interviews or observations or presenting research results.
Work Schedules
Most sociologists work full time.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Adaptability. Sociologists must let research guide their approach to the social issues they study and adjust their methods if needed. Analytical skills. Sociologists must be able to examine data and other information, often using statistical methods to test their theories. Communication skills. Sociologists need to be able to convey information clearly both in writing and orally, such as when presenting research. Critical-thinking skills. Sociologists collect, process, and synthesize information to draw logical conclusions about the topics they research. Interpersonal skills. Sociologists must be able to establish a rapport when conducting interviews. They also collaborate with social scientists and others as part of a team. Problem-solving skills. Sociologists propose strategies to resolve the social problems they study, basing solutions on the results of their research.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about sociologists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.