How to become a Sociologist

Official title: Sociologists

Also called: Demographer, Evaluation Specialist, Medical Sociologist, Policy Analyst, Research Associate, Research Coordinator, Research Scientist, Research Specialist, Social Scientist, Sociologist

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.

Main tasks

• Analyze and interpret data to increase the understanding of human social behavior.
• Prepare publications and reports containing research findings.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate methods of data collection, such as questionnaires or interviews.
• Collect data about the attitudes, values, and behaviors of people in groups, using observation, interviews, and review of documents.
• Teach sociology.
• Plan and conduct research to develop and test theories about societal issues such as crime, group relations, poverty, and aging.
• Present research findings at professional meetings.
• Explain sociological research to the general public.

How to become one

Sociologists typically need at least a master's degree to enter the occupation.

Typical education to start: Master's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

• College: Medicine & Dentistry degrees, Offered by 23 universities in the US
• College: Health & Public Health degrees, Offered by 29 universities in the US

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Median pay: $106,030 a year The middle half earn $82,300 to $137,420.
• About 2,700 people work in this job now, and about 2,800 are projected by 2035. (+3.8%)
• People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.

Related jobs

• Economists
• Environmental Economists
• Survey Researchers
• Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
• Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
• School Psychologists

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Sociologist?

Sociologists typically need at least a master's degree to enter the occupation.

How much does a Sociologist earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $106,030 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $82,300 to $137,420.

Is a Sociologist a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4% by 2035, from about 2,700 to about 2,800 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Sociologist?

Usually. 90% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Sociologist?

People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.

Sources

• Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.