Sociologist salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Sociologists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $103,840 a year ($49.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,680 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $106,030. Pay here is 3% higher than the Maryland statewide median of $100,660. There are 0.02 sociologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $105,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sociologists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,770 | $32.58 |
| 25th percentile | $81,410 | $39.14 |
| Median | $103,840 | $49.93 |
| 75th percentile | $136,660 | $65.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,680 | $78.21 |
| Average (mean) | $105,420 | $50.68 |
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 | $8,653.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,326.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,993.85 |
| Weekly | $1,996.92 |
| Hourly | $49.93 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $103,840 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maryland at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 Maryland statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $138,250 | $66.47 |
| Economist | $156,750 | $75.36 |
| Political Scientist | $156,730 | $75.35 |
| School Psychologist | $106,550 | $51.23 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $101,670 | $48.88 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $104,770 | $50.37 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $129,730 | $62.37 |
| Survey Researcher | $97,780 | $47.01 |
| Historian | $115,690 | $55.62 |
| Geographer | $118,290 | $56.87 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $87,400 | $42.02 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $107,110 | $51.49 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $114,920 | $55.25 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $170,980 | $82.20 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for sociologists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $103,840 a year, or $49.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sociologists make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of sociologists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $162,680 a year. The top 25% earn $136,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for sociologists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,770 a year, and a quarter of sociologists earn $81,410 or less.
How many sociologists work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 60 sociologists are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.