Sociologist salary in Columbus, OH
Sociologists in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $82,820 a year ($39.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $68,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,610 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $106,030. Pay here is 5% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $78,850. There are 0.09 sociologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 6.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $84,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sociologists in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,040 | $32.71 |
| 25th percentile | $71,680 | $34.46 |
| Median | $82,820 | $39.82 |
| 75th percentile | $95,280 | $45.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,610 | $49.33 |
| Average (mean) | $84,660 | $40.70 |
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 | $6,901.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,450.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,185.38 |
| Weekly | $1,592.69 |
| Hourly | $39.82 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $83,100 | $39.95 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $104,370 | $50.18 |
| School Psychologist | $100,730 | $48.43 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $78,750 | $37.86 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $127,090 | $61.10 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $98,920 | $47.56 |
| Chemist | $94,170 | $45.27 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,350 | $39.59 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $84,300 | $40.53 |
| Chemical Technician | $62,340 | $29.97 |
| Biological Technician | $59,900 | $28.80 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $48,840 | $23.48 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $64,940 | $31.22 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $82,010 | $39.43 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, OH
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 Columbus, OH?
The median salary for sociologists in the Columbus, OH metro area is $82,820 a year, or $39.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $68,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sociologists make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of sociologists in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $102,610 a year. The top 25% earn $95,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for sociologists in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,040 a year, and a quarter of sociologists earn $71,680 or less.
How many sociologists work in Columbus, OH?
About 100 sociologists are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.