Sociologists Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$85,030
- 25th Percentile — Junior$98,770
- 50th Percentile — Median$125,770
- 75th Percentile — Senior$138,710
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$161,710
Half of Sociologists in California earn more than $125,770. The top 10% make $161,710 or more, while entry-level workers start around $85,030.
Sociologists in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 4th of 11 states for Sociologists pay, at $123,090 per year (7.1% above the U.S. average of $114,920).
- 590 people work as Sociologists in California — 26.1% of all U.S. Sociologists jobs.
- Location quotient 2.24: Sociologists jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $85,030; the top 10% earn over $161,710.
- Hourly equivalent: $59.18 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Illinois at $143,940.
- Among science jobs in California, Physicists pays the most ($201,930).
Sociologists Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Sociologists here earn $123,090 on average, placing the state 4th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $123,090 is roughly equivalent to $86,683 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Illinois ($143,940), North Carolina ($129,740), Massachusetts ($123,460) are the closest alternatives for Sociologists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Science Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Physicists $201,930/yr California +64.1% vs this role
- Materials Scientists $189,460/yr California +53.9% vs this role
- Biochemists and Biophysicists $148,550/yr California +20.7% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $140,120/yr California +13.8% vs this role
- Economists $133,680/yr California +8.6% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $127,330/yr California +3.4% vs this role
- Hydrologists $122,940/yr California 0.1% vs this role
- Urban and Regional Planners $116,480/yr California 5.4% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Sociologists salary in California?
The average Sociologists salary in California is $123,090 per year (median $125,770), which is 7.1% above the national average of $114,920.
How does California rank for Sociologists pay?
California ranks 4th out of 11 states. The highest-paying state is Illinois ($143,940/yr).
How much do entry-level Sociologists make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Sociologists in California earn about $85,030 per year and the 25th percentile is $98,770.
How much do Sociologists make per hour in California?
About $59.18 per hour, based on the $123,090 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Sociologists work in California?
BLS counts 590 Sociologists jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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