Sociologist
Also known as: rural sociology research analyst, sociology science researcher, rural sociology research scientist, urban sociology research analyst, rural sociology analyst, economic sociology research analyst
About this occupation
Sociologists focus their research on explaining social behaviour and the way people have organised themselves as a society. They research and explain the way societies have evolved by describing their legal, political, and economic systems and their cultural expressions.
Essential skills and knowledge
- monitor sociological trends
- conduct qualitative research
- apply scientific methods
- sociology
- perform scientific research
- statistics
- interpret current data
- apply statistical analysis techniques
- study human societies
- apply knowledge of human behaviour
- observe human behaviour
- scientific research methodology
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Sociologists (O*NET 19-3041.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Analyze and interpret data to increase the understanding of human social behavior.
- Prepare publications and reports containing research findings.
- Develop, implement, and evaluate methods of data collection, such as questionnaires or interviews.
- Collect data about the attitudes, values, and behaviors of people in groups, using observation, interviews, and review of documents.
- Teach sociology.
- Plan and conduct research to develop and test theories about societal issues such as crime, group relations, poverty, and aging.
- Typical education (US)
- Doctoral Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 5 of 5
- Interests
- Investigative, Social, Artistic
Top skills: Active Listening, Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Writing, Critical Thinking, Active Learning
US median pay: US$106,030 a year (2025), 2,260 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- SociologyO*NET: Sociology and AnthropologyExtremely important (5.0)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageExtremely important (4.6)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.5)
- HistoryO*NET: History and ArcheologyImportant (3.4)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.4)
- Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentImportant (3.2)
- Divinity or PhilosophyO*NET: Philosophy and TheologyImportant (3.1)
- PsychologyO*NET: PsychologyImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Doctoral Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary
- Anthropologists and Archeologists
- Political Scientists
- Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary
- Survey Researchers
- Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Social Science Research Assistants
- Data Scientists
- Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
- Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.