Sociologists Salary in Seattle, WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Median annual salary $87,630 -13.8% vs national
Median hourly $42.13
10th percentile $66,350
90th percentile $139,740
Employed locally 60
National median $101,690

Compare Sociologists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Seattle, WA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Sociologists
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Seattle, WA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $66,350
    25th
    $66,790
    50th (median)
    $87,630
    75th
    $106,780
    90th
    $139,740

    Seattle economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $112,594 2023 • Census ACS
    Sociologists salary vs area income 78% Median Sociologists salary is 22% 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
    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
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $130,180
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $95,310
    Washington $88,330

    Related occupations in Seattle, WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $101,500
    Biological Technicians $58,090
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $98,950
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $99,680
    Urban and Regional Planners $103,410
    Biological Scientists, All Other $98,750

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Sociologists make per hour in Seattle?

    The median hourly wage for Sociologists in Seattle, WA is $42.13, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $66.35 or more per hour.

    Is Seattle above or below average for Sociologists salaries?

    The median Sociologists salary in Seattle, WA is 13.8% below 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 Seattle?

    Entry-level Sociologists (10th percentile) earn around $66,350 per year in Seattle, WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $66,790.