What Can You Do with a Sociology Degree?

Sociology is a social science that looks at the way humans behave in their everyday life and how it transcends to society at large. As a sociology major, you know the importance of socialization and how to improve the way people interact with one another in the pursuit of their common interests. 

Because of how versatile behavioral sciences are, you can work in any organization as long as there is a need to understand and improve social behavior and interactions. A degree in sociology can open up many jobs that are extremely rewarding and full of career opportunities. Read on to find out the best jobs for sociology majors. 

What Is a Sociology Major?

A sociology major is a sociology program that studies the various forms of human socialization through theoretical, empirical, or experimental processes. These degrees are concerned with understanding the behaviors of people in a society and its evolution. They use the results of these findings to predict human behavior, solve social issues, and improve social relationships.

How to Become a Sociologist: Sociology Education Options 

There are many education options to becoming a sociologist. You can start with an associate or bachelor’s degree and then decide whether you want to continue in academia or not. We have outlined the common education pathways below.

Sociology Associate Degree 

An Associate Degree in Sociology can be the stepping stone to an engaging career in this field. It allows you to gain practical knowledge about various social issues and social limitations facing our modern society and how to apply solutions through structured studies. 

Best Associate Degree Programs in Sociology

• East Los Angeles College – Associate in Arts in Sociology for Transfer
• Allen Community College – Associate Degree in Sociology
• Glendale Community College – Associate in Arts for Transfer – Sociology
• Hudson County Community College – Sociology (Liberal Arts) AA
• Central Arizona College – Sociology Pathway (AA)

Sociology Bachelor’s Degree

A Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology certifies you as a competent professional in this field. On completing this degree, you’ll be able to conduct independent studies and implement social movements to solve or minimize the social struggles of a group or community. 

Sociology degree graduates ought to possess analytical skills and interpersonal skills that can help them dominate various social dynamics. To gain these transferable skills you should enroll in any of these undergraduate programs.

Best Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Sociology

• Princeton University – Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology
• Stanford University – Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology
• University of California, Berkeley – Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
• University of Chicago – Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology
• London School of Economics and Political Science – Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology

Sociology Master’s Degree 

Some sociology graduates go on to pursue additional education with a Master’s Degree in Sociology. Studying a graduate degree helps you hone your skills in communication, social relationships, and research and analysis, all of which can be applied to other job roles. 

Best Master’s Degree Programs in Sociology

• University of South Alabama – Masters of Arts in Sociology
• Columbia University – Masters of Arts in Sociology
• Loyola University Chicago – Masters of Arts in Sociology
• New York University Steinhardt – Master of Arts in Sociology of Education
• University of Oxford – Masters of Science in Sociology

Sociology Career Overview: Is a Sociology Career Worth It?

Sociology Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the occupational outlook for sociologists between 2020 to 2030 is five percent, which is slower than the average career. However, the job outlook can differ between specific sociology career paths. For example, social scientists have a steady job outlook of seven percent. 

Sociology Salaries

Jobs in sociology-related fields have average annual salaries of $86,110, according to the most recent data from BLS. Other closely related career paths like anthropologists and survey researchers earn $66,130 and $59,870 respectively, which is comparatively less than that of sociologists.

This figure doesn’t mean there aren’t high earners within the scope of this career path. Sociologists who go into political science roles earn a median annual wage of $125,350 a year.

Best Jobs for Sociology Majors: What Can You Do with a Sociology Degree?

There are a variety of careers available to sociology majors based on their degree levels. The versatility of this discipline means you’ll have transferable skills that’ll open up many employment opportunities. Below is a list of occupations available for people with a background in sociology and their reported salary range.

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Product Manager

• Average Salary: $94,704
• Job Outlook: 11 percent

Product managers coordinate product life cycles from the idea generation stage to the product design and promotion stage. Product management is a creative role that requires a deep understanding of the processes involved in defining client needs. Sociology majors can have an edge in this area because of their good understanding of how humans behave and interact. 

Product managers are grouped on BLS under computer and information systems managers and have a projected growth rate of 11 percent between 2020 and 2030.

 UX/UI Designer

• Average Salary: $91,990
• Job Outlook: 13 percent

If you’re looking for a seamless transition as a sociologist into a tech role that can easily accommodate your soft skills, then you should consider a career in UX/UI design. This role is concerned with how humans interact with digital products, in order to design products that optimize their experience and appeal to users. 

According to the BLS, this field has long-term prospects, with a growing job outlook of 13 percent from 2020 to 2030.

Data Analyst

• Average Salary: $67,294
• Job Outlook: 22 percent

Data analysis involves gathering, organizing, and analyzing complex data sets, so professionals in this field must be familiar with statistical and computational mathematics. Sociology as a field of study involves statistical analysis based on research, making it easy for them to switch careers into a role like this.

Market Research Analyst

• Average Salary: $65,810
• Job Outlook: 22 percent

Market research analysts are key components of any producing organization. They provide vital data through market research on the company’s target market or consumers. The results of their findings are used to design strategies and improve customer satisfaction. Market research analyst is an ideal career path for sociology majors who like the idea of commercial research.

Digital Marketer

Average Salary: $54,672

Job Outlook: 10 percent

Digital marketing is an exciting field that relies heavily on the tenacity and creativity of the individual. A background in sociology will give you an edge over others in this field because you already have actionable insight and can appeal to the average human. In addition, your understanding of human behavior gives you leverage in this role.

Best Jobs for Sociology Associate Degree Majors

Police Detective

• Average Salary: $67,290
• Job Outlook: 7 percent

You can become a police detective following your degree. You’ll have an advantage in this role as detectives solve crimes by understanding and predicting human behaviors, which is the basics of sociology. Police and detectives have a steady job outlook of seven percent from 2020 to 2030.

Paralegal

• Average Salary: $52,920
• Job Outlook: 12 percent

Paralegals work in the law enforcement and justice system. Paralegals support lawyers by providing them with a flow of valuable legal resources to support legal cases. You will find this role both rewarding and stimulating because it gives you the opportunity to be an advocate for social justice. 

Social Worker

• Average Salary: $51,760
• Job Outlook: 12 percent 

Social workers ensure the wellbeing of members of a community by interfering in cases of social injustice within families and small groups. Through their interference, they advocate for and implement social change at the micro-level. Social work is an ideal pathway for sociology students who have a strong sense of social justice. 

Childhood Therapist

• Average Salary: $44,972
• Job Outlook: 16 percent

Sociology majors who choose this career pathway provide solutions to diverse childhood behavioral issues. Childhood therapists are usually found in preschools and middle schools and help to guide children during their formative years. Childhood therapists are grouped under marriage and family therapists by BLS.

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Human Resource Assistant

• Average Salary: $40,028
• Job Outlook: 10 percent 

Human resource management is an ideal field for sociology majors who want to branch out into business roles. This pathway allows them to apply their social skills in helping organizations recruit, train, and retain quality staff. They’ll have a key role in promoting healthy employee relations. 

Human resource assistants are part of Human Resource Specialists, and according to BLS, is a field expected to grow by 10 percent between 2020 and 2030.

Best Jobs for Sociology Bachelor’s Degree Majors

Human Resource Manager

• Average Salary: $121,220
• Job Outlook: 9 percent

Sociology majors often thrive as human resources managers. This leadership role is intertwined with the field of sociology as they both seek to improve human behaviors and interactions. These human resources specialists are excellent project managers and have good problem-solving skills to promote good employee relations. 

They may also oversee things like employee benefits and other human resources policies. Human resource management is a lucrative field that will enjoy a nine percent growth rate between 2020 and 2030. 

Immigration Officer

• Average Salary: $89,039
• Job Outlook: 7 percent

If you’re passionate about justice and preserving the structure of society, then becoming an immigration officer is a good career choice for you. As an immigration specialist, you’ll have an innate understanding of how to communicate with a wide range of people in often high-pressure situations. 

Public Relations Officer

• Average Salary: $62,810
• Job Outlook: 11 percent

Public relations officers protect the integrity of organizations by serving as intermediaries between the company and the general public. Their work requires excellent communication skills and astute diplomacy. This will come naturally to sociology majors who have been taught the basis for human interactions and areas that need improvement. 

Marketing Strategist

• Average Salary: $64,541
• Job Outlook: 10 percent

Market strategists are essential to every organization. These professionals use analyses of a company’s market segment to increase revenue by constructing actionable and viable strategies. Sociologists can find this role engaging because it maximizes their research and social skills, as well as relying on strong problem-solving skills. 

School Counsellors

• Average Salary: $59,877
• Job Outlook: 11 percent

Sociologists can excel as guidance counselors to students in their formative years. You’ll need excellent verbal communication skills to succeed in this role. You’ll be confident communicating with students on a range of emotional issues. 

According to the BLS, school and career counselors will continue to remain an integral part of child development based on their positive job outlook. 

Best Jobs for Sociology Master’s Degree Majors

Criminal Justice Manager

• Average Salary: $85,089
• Job Outlook: 4 percent

Sociology degree graduates that are passionate about social justice and improving the personal lives of members of a society can choose a career in criminal justice. As a criminal justice manager, you can do a lot of good in ensuring that the objectives of the central government concerning the safety and wellbeing of citizens are achieved. 

Psychologist

• Average Salary: $100,207
• Job Outlook: 8 percent

Psychologists are professionals who try to understand the behaviors of humans and provide solutions to complex behavioral issues. This is an ideal career for sociology majors. You’ll typically need a higher level of education to become a practicing psychologist.  

Sociologist

• Average Salary: $86,110
• Job Outlook: 5 percent

A career in sociology could mean following an academic career to become a sociologist. As an advanced degree holder, you will have a strong knowledge of social structures and community services.

This will help you design research projects using experiments and social service programs as a way to improve the levels of social development. Some sociologists also become education lecturers. 

Psychotherapist

• Average Salary: $87,181
• Job Outlook: 8 percent*

Psychotherapists offer counselling services to individuals struggling with complex emotional issues on a daily basis. This includes mental illnesses, emotional burdens, and substance abuse. These professionals often specialize in an area like drug addiction or bereavement.

Sociology students can see a career as a psychotherapist or mental health counsellor as an ideal pathway because it directly relates to their field. Just like psychologists, they also have a positive job outlook.

* The psychotherapist outlook is listed under the psychologist career data on BLS

Policy Analyst

• Average Salary: $74,335
• Job Outlook: 9 percent

Policy analysts evaluate public policy decisions and their effects on an economic and social scale. They also use their critical thinking skills to identify policy options and maintain ethnic relations by applying their knowledge of sociological concepts to political issues. This field has a positive outlook of nine percent according to BLS.

Three Final Tips to Get a Job in Sociology

1. Acquire sociology or related degrees. To get started in the field, you have to major or minor in a sociology discipline. You need both theoretical and practical knowledge.
2. Engage in volunteer work. Sociology involves a lot of social service activities. Engaging in these activities will strengthen your communication skills along with your practical knowledge of the field.
3. Join communities for similar careers. Depending on the career path you’re hoping to break into, you should join groups or communities in that field.

As a sociology major, you have a variety of fields to choose from. You can move into many career paths, including tech roles, law enforcement, and psychotherapy. Many sociology degree graduates go on to become social workers, human resources specialists, mental health counsellors, and police detectives.  

The jobs available with this degree are typically well paid and can be highly rewarding. Do your research to make sure you choose the best type of degree to set you off on the career path of your choice. Then start looking for an entry-level position or internship opportunity to build up your experience in your chosen area.