Estimate · based on BLS national data

Sociologists in District of Columbia

$174,678 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$83.98 per hour

▲ 52.0% above U.S. average2nd of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: Estimate (BLS national × cost of living) Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$174,678per year
Median$161,166per year
Hourly$83.98per hour
10th – 90th percentile$107,205 – $241,294per year

Sociologists Pay Range in District of Columbia

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$107,205
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$139,851
  • 50th Percentile — Median$161,166
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$213,306
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$241,294

Half of Sociologists in District of Columbia earn more than $161,166. The top 10% make $241,294 or more, while entry-level workers start around $107,205.

Sociologists in District of Columbia: Key Facts

Source: BLS national data adjusted for cost of living

  • District of Columbia ranks 2nd of 51 states for Sociologists pay, at $174,678 per year (52.0% above the U.S. average of $114,920).
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $107,205; the top 10% earn over $241,294.
  • Hourly equivalent: $83.98 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $178,126.
  • Among science jobs in District of Columbia, Geoscientists pays the most ($176,548).

Sociologists Job Market in District of Columbia

Key factors affecting compensation

District of Columbia's key industries are Government, Finance, Technology, and its job market is rated very strong. Sociologists here earn $174,678 on average, placing the state 2nd nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.52 (U.S. = 1.00), a District of Columbia salary of $174,678 is roughly equivalent to $114,920 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Hawaii ($178,126), New York ($158,590), New Jersey ($147,098) are the closest alternatives for Sociologists weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Sociologists salary in District of Columbia?

The average Sociologists salary in District of Columbia is $174,678 per year (median $161,166), which is 52.0% above the national average of $114,920.

How does District of Columbia rank for Sociologists pay?

District of Columbia ranks 2nd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($178,126/yr).

How much do entry-level Sociologists make in District of Columbia?

The lowest-paid 10% of Sociologists in District of Columbia earn about $107,205 per year and the 25th percentile is $139,851.

How much do Sociologists make per hour in District of Columbia?

About $83.98 per hour, based on the $174,678 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

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