Sociologists Salary in San Francisco, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $132,200 +30% vs national
Median hourly $63.56
10th percentile $78,130
90th percentile $158,330
Employed locally 150
National median $101,690

Compare Sociologists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how San Francisco, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Sociologists
in
San Francisco, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $78,130
    25th
    $97,410
    50th (median)
    $132,200
    75th
    $132,200
    90th
    $158,330

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 2023 • Census ACS
    Sociologists salary vs area income 99% Median Sociologists salary is 1% below 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
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $130,180
    New York $130,180
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $128,600

    Nearby metros — Sociologists salary comparison

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

    Related occupations in San Francisco, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$142,540
    Biological Scientists, All Other$132,670
    Biological Technicians$79,270
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$160,210
    Chemists$126,190
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other$80,100

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Sociologists make per hour in San Francisco?

    The median hourly wage for Sociologists in San Francisco, CA is $63.56, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $79.72 or more per hour.

    Is San Francisco above or below average for Sociologists salaries?

    The median Sociologists salary in San Francisco, CA is 30% 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 San Francisco?

    Entry-level Sociologists (10th percentile) earn around $78,130 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $97,410.