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Alamo Colleges DistrictCareer Explorer

Sociologists

Part of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics, in the Science and Mathematics pathway.

Bright outlookJob zone 5: extensive preparationO*NET 19-3041.00

What the work is

Study human society and social behavior by examining the groups and social institutions that people form, as well as various social, religious, political, and business organizations. May study the behavior and interaction of groups, trace their origin and growth, and analyze the influence of group activities on individual members.

On a typical day

  • Prepare publications and reports containing research findings.
  • Analyze and interpret data to increase the understanding of human social behavior.
  • Plan and conduct research to develop and test theories about societal issues such as crime, group relations, poverty, and aging.
  • Collect data about the attitudes, values, and behaviors of people in groups, using observation, interviews, and review of documents.
  • Develop, implement, and evaluate methods of data collection, such as questionnaires or interviews.
  • Teach sociology.

What it pays

$106,030
Median pay per year, United States (no San Antonio figure published)
New workers start near $65,160
Experienced workers reach $172,550
  1. $65k10th
  2. $82k25th
  3. $106kMedian
  4. $137k75th
  5. $173k90th
Wage percentiles: 10th $65,160, 25th $82,300, Median $106,030, 75th $137,420, 90th $172,550

Job outlook

U.S. projection, 2024 to 2034.

+4%

U.S. employment change

300

openings a year nationwide, from growth and people leaving

3,400

employed nationwide in 2024

Typical entry education: Master's degree

Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

  1. Active Listening4.6
  2. Speaking4.6
  3. Reading Comprehension4.8
  4. Writing4.8
  5. Critical Thinking4.4
  6. Active Learning4.3
  7. Social Perceptiveness4.4
  8. Learning Strategies4.3

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

  1. Bachelor's degree10%
  2. Master's degree30%
  3. Doctoral or professional60%

Job zone 5, extensive preparation: A graduate or professional degree, usually after a bachelor's.

Alamo programs that lead here

  • Northeast Lakeview
  • Northwest Vista
  • Palo Alto
  • St. Philip's
  • San Antonio
  1. Sociology

    Transfer pre-major · Public Service

  2. Sociology

    Transfer pre-major · Public Service

  3. Sociology

    Degree · Transfer pre-major · Public Service

  4. Sociology

    Transfer pre-major · Public Service

  5. Sociology

    Transfer pre-major · Public Service

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