Median income for undergraduate degree holders in sociology nationwide is $46,200 for early career (5 years after graduation) and $72,500 for mid-career (10+ years), according to payscale.com.
Median income for SU sociology alumni is $60,000 - $80,000 (2021 alumni survey, question asked by range).
The American Sociological Association's Careers in Sociology suggests the following areas for seeking employment:
- social services--in rehabilitation, case management, group work with youth or the elderly, recreation, or administration
- community work--in fund-raising for social service organizations, nonprofits, child-care or community development agencies, or environmental groups
- corrections--in probation, parole, or other criminal justice work
- business--in advertising, marketing and consumer research, insurance, real estate, personnel work, training, or sales
- college settings--in admissions, alumni relations, or placement offices
- health services--in family planning, substance abuse, rehabilitation counseling, health planning, hospital admissions, and insurance companies
- publishing, journalism, and public relations--in writing, research, and editing
- government services--in federal, state, and local government jobs in such areas as transportation, housing, agriculture, and labor
- teaching--in elementary and secondary schools, in conjunction with appropriate teacher certification.
Here are a few of the many jobs that sociology majors do:
- probation officer
- employment counselor
- human resources specialist
- family counselor
- addictions counselor
- research assistant
- police officer
- youth worker
- correctional service officer
- volunteer coordinator
- family planning counselor
- admissions counselor
- community service agency worker
- group home provider
- school counselor
- interviewer
- rehabilitation counselor
Specifically, SU Sociology Alumni have moved on to work in the following occupations:
- Deputy Attorney General
- Paralegal
- Marketing Coordinator
- Equal Employment Specialist
- Social Worker
- Correctional Case Management Manager
- Grant Writer
And occupations for our recent graduates include:
- Program Analyst US Department of Justice
- Advocate for Victims of Sexual and Domestic Violence
- Health Services Manager
- Maryland Parole and Probation Department
- Behavioral Health Advocate
- Financial Data Specialist
- Youth Health Outreach Specialist
- Delaware State Police Recruit
- Homeless Case Manager
- Health Services Recruiter
- Manager Delaware Office of Equity
- Family Advocate in Mental Health Services
- Team Coordinator for Autism Therapy
- Local TV News Studio Tech
For more information about where SU sociology majors are now, see our Alumni Career Info.
See also Great Jobs for Sociology Majors by Stephen Lambert available in the SU Career Services and the American Sociology Association career information.