What Do Sociologist Do?
Job Description: Study human society and social behavior by examining the groups and social institutions that people form, as well as various social, religious, political, and business organizations. May study the behavior and interaction of groups, trace their origin and growth, and analyze the influence of group activities on individual members.
Sociologist Responsibilities
- Develop, implement, and evaluate methods of data collection, such as questionnaires or interviews.
- Teach sociology.
- Prepare publications and reports containing research findings.
- Observe group interactions and role affiliations to collect data, identify problems, evaluate progress, and determine the need for additional change.
- Consult with and advise individuals such as administrators, social workers, and legislators regarding social issues and policies, as well as the implications of research findings.
- Collect data about the attitudes, values, and behaviors of people in groups, using observation, interviews, and review of documents.
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Sociologist Required Skills
Sociologists state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Types of Sociologist Jobs
- Research Associate
- Social Scientist
- Clinical Sociologist
- Research Specialist
- Family Sociologist
Are There Job Opportunities for Sociologists?
In the United States, there were 3,500 jobs for Sociologist in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Sociologist. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 300 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Sociologist are Florida, Wisconsin, and New York. Watch out if you plan on working in Oregon, Illinois, or Pennsylvania. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Sociologist
The salary for Sociologists ranges between about $46,170 and $140,430 a year.
Sociologists who work in Pennsylvania, California, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Sociologists in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $98,560 |
| Florida | $78,490 |
| Illinois | $86,280 |
| Maryland | $74,540 |
| Massachusetts | $111,020 |
| Michigan | $88,180 |
| New Jersey | $106,470 |
| New York | $75,800 |
| North Carolina | $95,260 |
| Ohio | $67,230 |
| Pennsylvania | $121,470 |
| South Dakota | $43,080 |
| Utah | $72,570 |
| Washington | $74,130 |
| Wisconsin | $80,270 |
What Tools & Technology do Sociologists Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Sociologists may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Data entry software
- Email software
- Data visualization software
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Project
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft Visio
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- SAS
- Microsoft Publisher
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- R
How do I Become a Sociologist?
What education or degrees do I need to become a Sociologist?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Sociologists Work
Below are examples of industries where Sociologists work:
References:
Image Credit: Kontos via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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