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Sociologists


Overview

Sociologists

Introduction

Sociologists study the behavior and interaction of people in groups. They research the characteristics of families, communities, the workplace, religious and business organizations, and many other segments of society. By studying a group, sociologists can gain insight about individuals; they can develop ideas about the roles of gender, race, age, and other social traits in human interaction. This research helps the government, schools, and other organizations address social problems and understand social patterns. In addition to res...

Quick Facts


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Median Salary

$83,240

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Employment Prospects

Fair

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Minimum Education Level

Master's Degree


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Experience

Several years experience


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Skills

Interpersonal
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Personality Traits

Curious
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Earnings

Median annual earnings for sociologists were $83,420 in May 2019, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $46,920, while the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $141,770. Sociologists working for state governments earned mean annual salaries of $92,460. Those specializing in research and development in the social sciences and humanities...

Work Environment

An academic environment can be ideal for a sociologist intent on writing and conducting research. If required to teach only a few courses a semester, a sociologist can then devote a good deal of time to his or her own work. And having contact with students can create a balance with the research.

The work of a sociologist takes place mostly in the classroom or at a computer writing report...

Outlook

Employment for sociologists is expected to grow as fast as the average for all careers through 2029, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Opportunities are best for those with broad training and education in analytical, methodological, conceptual, and qualitative and quantitative analysis and research. Competition will be strong in all areas, however, as many sociology graduates con...