Sociologist salary
From 123 certified H-1B filings (FY2025–FY2026). Base salary only.
- Occupation code 19-3041: Sociologists
At a glance
- Mostly Level I (entry-level). 48% of Sociologist filings are Level I, compared with 19% across all H-1B filings.
- Median up 23% since FY2020. From $65,000 in FY2020 to $80,000 in FY2026 (Q1–Q3). Nominal, not adjusted for inflation.
Sociologist H-1B salary overview
Employers filed 123 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Sociologist jobs in FY2025–FY2026 (occupation code 19-3041, Sociologists). The median base salary is $80,503, 34% below the median for all H-1B filings ($122,699), and half of the filings fall between $70,000 and $106,101. The most common wage level is Level I (entry-level), at 48% of filings.
Is your Sociologist offer competitive?
Enter the base salary in your offer. We compare it with certified H-1B filings for Sociologist jobs, nationally or in one metro area.
Enter a salary to see where it falls.
Percentiles from certified H-1B filings, base salary only. Metro areas with at least 10 filings.
Pay by level
Entry-level · 48% of filings
Mid-level · 22% of filings
Senior · 15% of filings
Expert · 15% of filings
Show the table
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Level I · Entry | $70,000 | 53 |
| Level II · Qualified | $83,350 | 24 |
| Level III · Experienced | $112,579 | 16 |
| Level IV · Fully competent | $150,000 | 17 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Sociologist pay by city
Median base salary in each metro area. Rent: HUD Fair Market Rent, FY2027.
Show all 2 metro areas
| Metro area | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Washington, DC | $94,985 | 30 |
| New York, NY | $128,419 | 13 |
Metro areas with at least 10 filings for this occupation.
What a Sociologist does
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.
Typical tasks
- 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.
Preparation
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed. 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).
O*NET occupation: Sociologists (19-3041.00). This section includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
H-1B pay vs. all U.S. workers
Across all U.S. workers in this occupation (Sociologists), the median annual wage was $106,030 in May 2025, with 2,260 people employed. The median H-1B base salary in FY2025–FY2026 is $80,503, 24% lower.
| H-1B filings | All U.S. workers (BLS, May 2025) | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $64,660 | $65,160 |
| 25th percentile | $70,000 | $82,300 |
| Median | $80,503 | $106,030 |
| 75th percentile | $106,101 | $137,420 |
| 90th percentile | $145,640 | $172,550 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). BLS wages cover all wage and salary workers and include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are the base salary offered on certified LCAs. The two sources cover different periods. BLS reports wages of $239,200 or more as a single top value.
Salary details
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $64,660 |
| 25th | $70,000 |
| 50th (median) | $80,503 |
| 75th | $106,101 |
| 90th | $145,640 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $65,000 | $55,973 | $77,114 | 111 |
| FY2021 | $62,635 | $56,094 | $89,949 | 78 |
| FY2022 | $73,200 | $61,200 | $95,000 | 101 |
| FY2023 | $70,000 | $63,403 | $93,000 | 88 |
| FY2024 | $73,508 | $65,000 | $91,344 | 88 |
| FY2025 | $82,250 | $70,000 | $108,603 | 74 |
| FY2026 | $80,000 | $70,000 | $106,101 | 49 |
Questions
How much does an H-1B Sociologist make?
The median base salary in certified H-1B filings for Sociologist jobs is $80,503 (123 filings, FY2025–FY2026). Half of the filings are between $70,000 and $106,101.
What does an entry-level Sociologist earn on an H-1B?
Level I (entry-level) filings have a median of $70,000. Level I accounts for 48% of Sociologist filings.
Do H-1B Sociologists earn more than other U.S. workers in the same job?
The H-1B median base salary ($80,503) is 24% lower than the median wage of all U.S. workers in this occupation ($106,030, BLS May 2025). The sources measure pay differently, so treat this as a rough comparison.