Sociologists Salary in Santa Maria, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

Median annual salary $111,750 +9.9% vs national
Median hourly $53.72
10th percentile $80,930
90th percentile $165,290
Employed locally 50
National median $101,690

Compare Sociologists salary & buying power

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

Full tool →
Sociologists
in
Santa Maria, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $80,930
    25th
    $81,620
    50th (median)
    $111,750
    75th
    $135,520
    90th
    $165,290

    Santa Maria economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $95,977 2023 • Census ACS
    Sociologists salary vs area income 116% Median Sociologists salary is 16% 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
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $128,600
    California $120,610
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $114,230

    Related occupations in Santa Maria, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $105,750
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $131,170
    Biological Scientists, All Other $111,220
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $100,240
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $95,100
    Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other $92,790

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Sociologists make per hour in Santa Maria?

    The median hourly wage for Sociologists in Santa Maria, CA is $53.72, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $79.46 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Maria above or below average for Sociologists salaries?

    The median Sociologists salary in Santa Maria, CA is 9.9% 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 Santa Maria?

    Entry-level Sociologists (10th percentile) earn around $80,930 per year in Santa Maria, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $81,620.