How much does a sociologist make in California?
$125,800a year
Median yearly pay for sociologists in California. That is $60.47 an hour or $10,480 a month.
- Hourly
- $60.47
- Vs. national median
- +19%
- Rank among states
- 4 of 11
- Jobs in the state
- 590
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $85,030Median: $125,800Highest 10%: $161,700
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $85,030 | $40.88 | |
| 25th | $98,770 | $47.49 | |
| Median | $125,800 | $60.47 | |
| 75th | $138,700 | $66.69 | |
| 90th | $161,700 | $77.75 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Francisco, CA | $134,800 |
| Riverside, CA | $131,200 |
| Stockton, CA | $131,200 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $124,500 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for sociologists.
| 1. Illinois | $140,800 |
| 2. Kentucky | $136,900 |
| 3. North Carolina | $126,800 |
| 4. California | $125,800 |
| 5. Alaska | $108,200 |
| 6. Massachusetts | $106,500 |
| 7. Maryland | $100,700 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a sociologist make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $60.47 ($125,800 a year).
Do sociologists make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $125,800 against $106,000 nationally, 19% more.
Where does California rank for sociologist pay?
California ranks 4 of 11 states.
Which city in California pays sociologists the most?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, with a median of $134,800 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.