BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Sociologists in Illinois

$143,940 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$69.2 per hour

▲ 25.3% above U.S. average1st of 11 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$143,940per year
Median$140,770per year
Hourly$69.2per hour
10th – 90th percentile$76,320 – $229,480per year

Sociologists Pay Range in Illinois

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$76,320
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$104,580
  • 50th Percentile — Median$140,770
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$174,320
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$229,480

Half of Sociologists in Illinois earn more than $140,770. The top 10% make $229,480 or more, while entry-level workers start around $76,320.

Sociologists in Illinois: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Illinois ranks 1st of 11 states for Sociologists pay, at $143,940 per year (25.3% above the U.S. average of $114,920).
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $76,320; the top 10% earn over $229,480.
  • Hourly equivalent: $69.2 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • Among science jobs in Illinois, Atmospheric and Space Scientists pays the most ($147,860).

Sociologists Job Market in Illinois

Key factors affecting compensation

Illinois's key industries are Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Sociologists here earn $143,940 on average, placing the state 1st nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.05 (U.S. = 1.00), a Illinois salary of $143,940 is roughly equivalent to $137,086 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, North Carolina ($129,740), Massachusetts ($123,460), California ($123,090) 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 Illinois?

The average Sociologists salary in Illinois is $143,940 per year (median $140,770), which is 25.3% above the national average of $114,920.

How does Illinois rank for Sociologists pay?

Illinois ranks 1st out of 11 states. The highest-paying state is Illinois ($143,940/yr).

How much do entry-level Sociologists make in Illinois?

The lowest-paid 10% of Sociologists in Illinois earn about $76,320 per year and the 25th percentile is $104,580.

How much do Sociologists make per hour in Illinois?

About $69.2 per hour, based on the $143,940 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

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