Sociologists Salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Median annual salary $95,310 -6.3% vs national
Median hourly $45.82
10th percentile $64,860
90th percentile $148,680
Employed locally 100
National median $101,690

Compare Sociologists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Sociologists
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Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $64,860
    25th
    $77,100
    50th (median)
    $95,310
    75th
    $99,390
    90th
    $148,680

    Washington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $123,896 2023 • Census ACS
    Sociologists salary vs area income 77% Median Sociologists salary is 23% 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

    Related occupations in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

    OccupationMedian salary
    Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other$137,610
    Biological Scientists, All Other$105,580
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$112,120
    Economists$157,980
    Political Scientists$153,340
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$109,520

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Sociologists make per hour in Washington?

    The median hourly wage for Sociologists in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is $45.82, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $78.21 or more per hour.

    Is Washington above or below average for Sociologists salaries?

    The median Sociologists salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is 6.3% 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 Washington?

    Entry-level Sociologists (10th percentile) earn around $64,860 per year in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $77,100.