What Do Sociologist Do?
Job Description: 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.
Daily Life Of a Sociologist
- Collect data about the attitudes, values, and behaviors of people in groups, using observation, interviews, and review of documents.
- Develop, implement, and evaluate methods of data collection, such as questionnaires or interviews.
- Consult with and advise individuals such as administrators, social workers, and legislators regarding social issues and policies, as well as the implications of research findings.
- Develop approaches to the solution of groups' problems, based on research findings in sociology and related disciplines.
- Teach sociology.
- 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 Skills Do You Need to Work as a Sociologist?
Sociologists state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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:
- Research and Development Manager (R&D Manager)
- Program Evaluator
- Clinical Sociologist
- Family Sociologist
- Clinical Evaluator
Sociologist Employment Estimates
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 3,500 jobs in the United States for Sociologist. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Sociologist. There will be an estimated 300 positions for Sociologist per year.
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.
Do Sociologists Make A Lot Of Money?
The average yearly salary of a Sociologist ranges 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 |
What Tools do Sociologists Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Sociologists:
- 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
Becoming a Sociologist
Are there Sociologists education requirements?
What work experience do I need to become a Sociologist?
Where Sociologists Work
Below are examples of industries where Sociologists work:
References:
Image Credit: Kontos via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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