Sociologist salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Sociologists in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn a median of $124,540 a year ($59.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $82,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $178,050 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $106,030. Pay here is 1% lower than the California statewide median of $125,770. There are 0.01 sociologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $125,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sociologists in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,690 | $39.75 |
| 25th percentile | $89,750 | $43.15 |
| Median | $124,540 | $59.87 |
| 75th percentile | $140,410 | $67.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $178,050 | $85.60 |
| Average (mean) | $125,220 | $60.20 |
Half of sociologists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,378.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,189.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,790 |
| Weekly | $2,395 |
| Hourly | $59.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $124,540 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Sociologist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $134,770 | 110 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $131,170 | 40 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $131,170 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for sociologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Illinois | $140,770 |
| Kentucky | $136,870 |
| North Carolina | $126,760 |
| California | $125,770 |
| Alaska | $108,170 |
| Massachusetts | $106,530 |
| Maryland | $100,660 |
| Washington | $97,170 |
| Michigan | $88,040 |
| Ohio | $78,850 |
See Sociologist pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,250 | $47.72 |
| School Psychologist | $122,390 | $58.84 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $111,380 | $53.55 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $100,550 | $48.34 |
| Survey Researcher | $83,520 | $40.16 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $65,240 | $31.37 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $153,630 | $73.86 |
| Economist | $151,510 | $72.84 |
| Historian | $98,210 | $47.22 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $134,890 | $64.85 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,610 | $49.33 |
| Chemist | $87,060 | $41.86 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $105,340 | $50.64 |
| Chemical Technician | $58,070 | $27.92 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-3041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a sociologist make in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
The median salary for sociologists in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area is $124,540 a year, or $59.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $82,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $178,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sociologists make in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
The top 10% of sociologists in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn at least $178,050 a year. The top 25% earn $140,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for sociologists in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $82,690 a year, and a quarter of sociologists earn $89,750 or less.
How many sociologists work in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
About 70 sociologists are employed in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.