What You Need to Know About Sociologist
Job Description & Duties 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.
Life As a Sociologist: What Do They Do?
- Present research findings at professional meetings.
- Direct work of statistical clerks, statisticians, and others who compile and evaluate research data.
- Develop problem intervention procedures, using techniques such as interviews, consultations, role playing, and participant observation of group interactions.
- Plan and conduct research to develop and test theories about societal issues such as crime, group relations, poverty, and aging.
- Develop, implement, and evaluate methods of data collection, such as questionnaires or interviews.
- Observe group interactions and role affiliations to collect data, identify problems, evaluate progress, and determine the need for additional change.
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What Every Sociologist Should Know
These are the skills Sociologists say are the most useful in their careers:
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.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Policy Advisor
- Rural Sociologist
- Program Evaluator
- Research Scientist
- Research Coordinator
Is There Job Demand 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. The BLS estimates 300 yearly job openings in this field.

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 typical yearly salary for Sociologists is somewhere between $46,170 and $140,430.

Sociologists who work in Pennsylvania, California, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.
How much do Sociologists make in each U.S. state?
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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Sociologists
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?
Individuals working as a Sociologist have obtained the following education levels:

How many years of work experience do I need?

Who Employs Sociologists?

Sociologists work in the following industries:

References:
Image Credit: Kontos via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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