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Occupation · SOC 19-3041

Sociologists

There are 2,260 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $106,030 a year. The most jobs are in Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH.

ScienceTypical education: Master's degree
2,260
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$106,030
Median pay a year
Middle half: $82,300–$137,420
200
Annual openings
10-year change: +3.8%
81
LCA filings, last 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

9 of 9 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $106,530 · LCA filings 2240$106,5302
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $134,770 · LCA filings 2110$134,7702
Columbus, OHMedian pay $82,820 · LCA filings 2100$82,8202
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay $97,170 · LCA filings 390$97,1703
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $124,540 · LCA filings 470$124,5404
Lansing–East Lansing, MIMedian pay $64,180 · LCA filings 060$64,1800
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $103,840 · LCA filings 2160$103,84021
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CAMedian pay $131,170 · LCA filings 040$131,1700
Stockton–Lodi, CAMedian pay $131,170 · LCA filings 030$131,1700

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 110 · LCA filings 2$134,7701102
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CAEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$131,170400
Stockton–Lodi, CAEmployment 30 · LCA filings 0$131,170300
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAEmployment 70 · LCA filings 4$124,540704
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHEmployment 240 · LCA filings 2$106,5302402

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployers with LCA filings 14 · Employment 60211460
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAEmployers with LCA filings 3 · Employment 704370
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployers with LCA filings 3 · Employment 903390
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHEmployers with LCA filings 2 · Employment 24022240
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployers with LCA filings 2 · Employment 11022110

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $98,384 · Level III $123,635 · Level IV $148,866$73,154$98,384$123,635$148,866
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $114,046 · Level III $131,310 · Level IV $148,574$96,782$114,046$131,310$148,574
Columbus, OHLevel II $77,293 · Level III $84,594 · Level IV $91,874$70,013$77,293$84,594$91,874
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $94,557 · Level III $101,920 · Level IV $109,262$87,214$94,557$101,920$109,262
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $104,229 · Level III $125,008 · Level IV $145,787$83,450$104,229$125,008$145,787
Lansing–East Lansing, MILevel II $69,576 · Level III $81,536 · Level IV $93,517$57,595$69,576$81,536$93,517
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $88,587 · Level III $105,248 · Level IV $121,909$71,926$88,587$105,248$121,909
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CALevel II $109,158 · Level III $124,218 · Level IV $139,256$94,120$109,158$124,218$139,256
Stockton–Lodi, CALevel II $103,688 · Level III $120,786 · Level IV $137,862$86,611$103,688$120,786$137,862

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
SociologyCIP 45.11 · Usually needs more educationOPT · up to 12 months936OPT · up to 12 months
Sociology and AnthropologyCIP 45.13 · Usually needs more educationOPT · up to 12 months17OPT · up to 12 months
DemographyCIP 45.05 · Usually needs more educationVaries by program14Varies by program

See Sociologists in every metro area

All 9 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology