Sociologist salary in North Carolina
Sociologists in North Carolina earn a median of $126,760 a year ($60.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $69,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $212,260 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $106,030. North Carolina ranks 3rd of 11 states for sociologists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.04 sociologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $129,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sociologists in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,980 | $33.64 |
| 25th percentile | $82,300 | $39.57 |
| Median | $126,760 | $60.94 |
| 75th percentile | $169,940 | $81.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $212,260 | $102.05 |
| Average (mean) | $129,740 | $62.37 |
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 | $10,563.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,281.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,875.38 |
| Weekly | $2,437.69 |
| Hourly | $60.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Sociologist salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $126,760 | n/a |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $92,130 | $44.29 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $81,420 | $39.15 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $81,230 | $39.06 |
| School Psychologist | $73,220 | $35.20 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $126,440 | $60.79 |
| Survey Researcher | $96,560 | $46.43 |
| Economist | $136,150 | $65.46 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $73,130 | $35.16 |
| Historian | $73,440 | $35.31 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,650 | $41.66 |
| Chemist | $82,620 | $39.72 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $74,130 | $35.64 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $63,710 | $30.63 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for sociologists in North Carolina is $126,760 a year, or $60.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $69,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $212,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sociologists make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of sociologists in North Carolina earn at least $212,260 a year. The top 25% earn $169,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for sociologists in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $69,980 a year, and a quarter of sociologists earn $82,300 or less.
How many sociologists work in North Carolina?
About 170 sociologists are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.