18.6% higher than the US national median ($106,038)
Verified BLS OEWS data · Updated May 18, 2026
Source: BLS OEWS · Published May 15, 2026
Next refresh: May 2027
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The median salary for Sociologists in California is $125,778 per year ($60.47/hr). This is 18.6% higher than the national median of $106,038.
About This Role
BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018
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.
Wage Percentiles: California
Hourly & annualized (2,080 hours) · National adjusted
Percentile
Hourly Rate
Annual Salary
vs National
P10Entry level
$40.88
$85,030
+30.5%
P25
$47.49
$98,779
+20.0%
P50MEDIAN
$60.47
$125,778
+18.6%
P75
$66.69
$138,715
+0.9%
P90Top earners
$77.74
$161,699
-6.3%
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P10–P90 breakdown, career outlook, industry wages, and JOLTS market signal for Sociologists
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Career Outlook
BLS Employment Projections · 2024-2034
10-year growth
+3.6%
About as fast as average
Annual openings
300
per year, on avg
Workforce today
3K
as of 2024
Why those openings exist
3% from new growth97% from people leaving the role
Most openings come from replacement, not growth. Retention matters more than recruiting here.
Typical entry requirements
Education
Master's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Industry Wage Breakdown
Top 2 industries by employment · median annual wage, sector-specific
Industry
Workforce
Median Pay
Scientific Research and Development Services
NAICS 541700
800
$125,770
State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
NAICS 999200
620
$104,390
Wage range across top 5 industries: $104,390 to $125,770 (20% spread)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median sociologists salary in California?
The median (P50) annual salary for Sociologists in California is approximately $125,778, based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. This is 18.6% higher than the national median of $106,038. For the full P10–P90 breakdown and market context, open CompSignal.
Wage figures on this page come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2025 release. OEWS surveys roughly 1.1 million establishments annually. It is the most comprehensive employer-reported wage dataset in the United States.
P10 through P90 percentiles represent the wage distribution across all surveyed employers (not self-reported by workers). Geographic adjustments use BLS-derived cost multipliers calibrated from regional wage variation.
Wages are estimates. Individual compensation depends on experience, education, employer size, industry, and negotiation. Use this as benchmark context, not absolute ground truth.
CompSignal is a free labor market intelligence tool built for HR, compensation, and talent acquisition teams. We make BLS data, the same primary source Mercer and Radford cross-reference in their paid surveys, searchable and actionable without an enterprise subscription.
Built and maintained by Falcon Incentives, a compensation strategy and incentive design consultancy.