Careers in Sociology
In 2017, the median salary for sociologists was $79,650 per year or $38.29 per hour. Employment is projected to increase from 2016-2026 (ASA).
The American Sociological Association and other entities list several primary career paths for sociology majors including but not limited to:
- Sales, public relations, and marketing (e.g., marketing researchers and data analysts)
- Public policy and Government/International development (e.g., The United Nations, The Departments of Labor, Education, and Health and Human Services, The U.S. Bureau of the Census, also various local and state government roles)
- Social services (e.g. For profit and nonprofit administrators and managers, development directors, community development officers)
- Healthcare (Future physicians, medical staff, public health, research sector)
- Academic and education sectors (teaching and research)
Knowledge and skills that sociology majors acquire that are highly valued by employers:
- Research skills – study design (e.g., survey and interview-based), collect and analyze data, interpret data, research and grant writing
- Analytical skills – problem-solving, critical thinking (e.g., the ability to make strong arguments supported by evidence)
- Communication skills (verbal and non-verbal)- understanding of group dynamics and diverse populations
- Critical thinking skills and the ability to utilize the sociological imagination (connecting individual issues to larger social and global forces)
