Career Overview
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.
Also Known As
- Demographer
- Medical Sociologist
- Social Scientist
- Sociologist
Alternate Job Titles
- Clinical Evaluator
- Clinical Sociologist
- Criminologist
- Demographer
- Evaluation Specialist
- Family Sociologist
- Medical Sociologist
- Penologist
- Policy Advisor
- Policy Analyst
- Policy Officer
- Program Evaluator
- Research Associate
- Research Coordinator
- Research Scientist
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Mentor sociology students.
- Review sociological research and articles.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Sociology and Anthropology
- English Language
- Education and Training
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Social Perceptiveness
- Instructing
- Complex Problem Solving
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Written Comprehension
- Inductive Reasoning
- Deductive Reasoning
- Speech Clarity
- Speech Recognition
- Near Vision
- Problem Sensitivity
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Innovation
- Achievement Orientation
- Integrity
- Dependability
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Independence
- Recognition
- Working Conditions
- Relationships
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Doctoral Degree
On-the-Job Training: Over 4 years, up to and including 10 years
Education Details: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience Required: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe Photoshop
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
Tools & Equipment
- Computer data input scanners
- Computer laser printers
- Desktop computers
- Digital audio recorders
- Digital video recorders
- Personal computers
- Tablet computers
- Videoconferencing equipment
Work Environment
- Freedom to Make Decisions
- Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Spend Time Sitting
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $60,710 |
| Median | $101,690 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $168,590 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 2,950
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: $82,540
Anthropologists and Archeologists
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: $64,910
Political Scientists
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: $139,380
Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: $76,210
Survey Researchers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $63,380
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.