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Boston Career Explorer

Life, Physical, and Social Science

Sociologists

Study human society and social behavior by examining the groups and social institutions that people form, as well as various social, religious, political, and business organizations. May study the behavior and interaction of groups, trace their origin and growth, and analyze the influence of group activities on individual members.

Also called: Demographer, Evaluation Specialist, Medical Sociologist, Policy Analyst, Research Associate, Research Coordinator

Median pay in Greater Boston
$106,530
$51.22/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
240
Massachusetts 2024–2034
+2.0%
50 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
Master's degree

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$65,400$83,920$106,530$145,360$190,440

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • Analyze and interpret data to increase the understanding of human social behavior.
  • Prepare publications and reports containing research findings.
  • Develop, implement, and evaluate methods of data collection, such as questionnaires or interviews.
  • Collect data about the attitudes, values, and behaviors of people in groups, using observation, interviews, and review of documents.
  • Teach sociology.
  • Plan and conduct research to develop and test theories about societal issues such as crime, group relations, poverty, and aging.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Higher exposure96 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 96
  • Language-model AIOE 99
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 94

Observed AI use today: Substantial (Anthropic Economic Index)

AI exposure for this job is higher, and AI tools are already used a good deal in this work. Tools can help with analyzing data, summarizing documents, and drafting reports and publications. Deciding what to study, collecting data from people through interviews and observation, and teaching rely on human judgment and contact.

Likely to change

  • Analyzing survey and interview data
  • Drafting research reports and publications

Still relies on people

  • Interviewing and observing people in groups
  • Teaching and mentoring students

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

Next steps from here

Related jobs that build on what you already do.

  • Project Management Specialists

    Talking with stakeholders to define goals and needs builds on your interview and research skills. It offers a bachelor's degree path and lower AI exposure.

    Pay difference
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  • Computer Systems Analysts

    Analyzing how people and systems work and helping users solve problems carry over. It offers higher Boston pay, though AI exposure is also higher.

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  • Industrial Engineers

    Data analysis and studying how groups work can carry over to improving processes. It offers higher Boston pay and faster projected growth than sociology.

    Pay difference
    +$12,440 median
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Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

31 programs near Boston (plus 23 graduate)

Related occupations

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