Sociologist salary in Illinois
Sociologists in Illinois earn a median of $140,770 a year ($67.68 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $76,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $229,480 for the top 10%. That is 33% higher than the national median of $106,030. Illinois ranks 1st of 11 states for sociologists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. The average (mean) salary is $143,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sociologists in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,320 | $36.69 |
| 25th percentile | $104,580 | $50.28 |
| Median | $140,770 | $67.68 |
| 75th percentile | $174,320 | $83.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $229,480 | $110.33 |
| Average (mean) | $143,940 | $69.20 |
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 | $11,730.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,865.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,414.23 |
| Weekly | $2,707.12 |
| Hourly | $67.68 |
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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $83,750 | $40.27 |
| School Psychologist | $84,690 | $40.72 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $91,360 | $43.92 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $69,810 | $33.56 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $99,050 | $47.62 |
| Survey Researcher | $54,080 | $26.00 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $59,560 | $28.63 |
| Political Scientist | $103,780 | $49.89 |
| Geographer | $92,640 | $44.54 |
| Historian | $89,670 | $43.11 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $82,330 | $39.58 |
| Chemist | $85,230 | $40.98 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $98,270 | $47.25 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $65,960 | $31.71 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for sociologists in Illinois is $140,770 a year, or $67.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $229,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sociologists make in Illinois?
The top 10% of sociologists in Illinois earn at least $229,480 a year. The top 25% earn $174,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for sociologists in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,320 a year, and a quarter of sociologists earn $104,580 or less.