Sociology
Social Sciences
Median earnings by degree level
| Degree | Median earnings | Typical range | Schools | Clear the bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate's Degree | $45,161 | $40,709 to $48,681 | 29 | 93% |
| Bachelor's Degree | $51,596 | $46,320 to $57,054 | 498 | 94% |
| Master's Degree | $65,008 | $59,203 to $70,116 | 9 | 100% |
"Clear the bar" is the share of programs whose graduates out-earn a typical high-school graduate (the federal earnings-premium test). Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile of program medians.
Job outlook
Projected employment growth +4% (2024 to 2034), about 114,800 openings a year across the occupations this field commonly leads to.
| Occupation | Median pay | Growth | Openings/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other | $136,550 | +4.5% | 106,700 |
| Social Science Research Assistants | $58,040 | +4.4% | 5,200 |
| Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other | $75,040 | +1.7% | 1,500 |
| Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary | $82,540 | +2.1% | 1,100 |
| Sociologists | $101,690 | +3.6% | 300 |
Occupation pay and outlook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wages, Employment Projections). A field maps to several occupations, and the same occupations serve many majors, so these are the jobs this major commonly leads to, not positions reserved for its graduates; the openings should not be added up across majors.
Earnings source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10), median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Report an error.