Sociologists Salary in Riverside, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

Median annual salary $128,600 +26.5% vs national
Median hourly $61.83
10th percentile $78,540
90th percentile $160,410
Employed locally 60
National median $101,690

Compare Sociologists salary & buying power

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Sociologists
in
Riverside, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $78,540
    25th
    $91,130
    50th (median)
    $128,600
    75th
    $132,200
    90th
    $160,410

    Riverside economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $86,031 2023 • Census ACS
    Sociologists salary vs area income 149% Median Sociologists salary is 49% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Sociologists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Oregon $211,560
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $134,730
    Illinois $134,730
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $132,200
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $130,180
    New York $130,180

    Nearby metros — Sociologists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $134,730
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $132,200
    Stockton-Lodi, CA $128,600
    California $120,610
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $114,230
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $111,750

    Related occupations in Riverside, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $92,230
    Occupational Health and Safety Technicians $57,610
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $128,890
    School Psychologists $124,200
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $96,390
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $96,600

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Sociologists make per hour in Riverside?

    The median hourly wage for Sociologists in Riverside, CA is $61.83, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $77.99 or more per hour.

    Is Riverside above or below average for Sociologists salaries?

    The median Sociologists salary in Riverside, CA is 26.5% above the national median of $101,690. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Sociologists in Riverside?

    Entry-level Sociologists (10th percentile) earn around $78,540 per year in Riverside, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $91,130.