16 Highest Paying Sociology Degree Jobs

If you are interested in understanding human relationships and making a positive impact in your community for Highest Paying Sociology Degree Jobs, earning a sociology degree is a great choice. With this degree, you will be equipped to research and engage with people effectively. 

There are plenty of career options available to sociology graduates, and some of them offer high salaries. By exploring these career options, you can find one that aligns with your interests and financial goals. 

In this article, we have compiled a list of 16 highest paying sociology degree jobs. Each job description includes details about the main responsibilities and expected annual salaries. Let’s get started. 

List of Top 16 Highest Paying Sociology Degree Jobs 

There are 16 Highest Paying Sociology Degree Jobs with salaries exceeding $60,000 per year. Let’s have a look at them:

1. Sales repre­sentative

When you are a sales representative, your job is to sell the products or services of a company. You learn all about what the company offers so that you can tell potential buyers why they should choose these products or services. Your excellent customer service and communication skills help you make more sales. This means more money for the company.

• Salary per annum: $75,800
• Degree required: Varies depending on the industry (you may not require a degree, but some employers prefer a Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field)
• Who is hiring: Businesses of all sizes, across all industries ex. retail, technology, finance, etc
• Best way to get the job: Develop strong communication and interpersonal skills, research the industry and target products, network with people in sales, consider sales certifications specific to the industry

2. Data analyst

As a data analyst, your job is to gather lots of data and be the best at what you do. Your job would be to make complex data easier for your colleagues to understand. To be the best at your job, you would need the best laptop for data analysis that can handle complex data and process them into simpler form for your clients. 

Please remember, your clients could be multinational firms trying to decipher consumer psychology. So, you would use sociology to understand the economy, but you also look at how people behave as consumers and how industries change. If you have a background in math or computer science, it can help you do your job even better.

• Salary per annum: $77,100
• Degree required: Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics
• Who is hiring: Businesses of all sizes, government agencies, research institutions
• Best way to get the job: Earn a relevant degree, take courses in data analysis tools (e.g., SQL, Python), build a portfolio showcasing your data analysis skills (e.g., personal projects, internships), consider relevant certifications

3. Human resource­s manager

As a human resources manager, your job is to organize the administrative tasks of a company. You can work in different fields like hospitality, medical, legal, and business. 

You advise other managers on how to behave at work and other HR issues. You also help companies with staffing problems by hiring new employees and finding ways to keep current ones happy.

• Salary per annum: $81,000
• Degree required: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, or related field
• Who is hiring: Businesses of all sizes, government agencies, non-profit organizations
• Best way to get the job: Earn a relevant degree, gain experience in HR (e.g., HR assistant, recruiter), obtain your Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification, develop strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills

4. Mental Health Technician

As a mental health technician, you play a vital role in helping patients overcome challenges and improve their relationships. You assess and treat mental health conditions, guiding patients to make meaningful changes in their behavior. Also, you provide effective coping strategies to help patients navigate obstacles successfully.

• Salary per annum: $84,692
• Degree required: Associate’s degree in Mental Health Technology or a related field (may require certification depending on the state)
• Who is hiring: Hospitals, mental health facilities, community support programs
• Best way to get the job: Earn a relevant degree or certification, gain experience through internships or volunteer work, develop strong interpersonal and communication skills, demonstrate compassion and empathy

5. Border Patrol Agent 

You, as a border patrol agent, play a crucial role in keeping our nation’s borders safe and secure. You utilize advanced equipment like aircraft, infrared sensors, and electronic sensors to monitor activities coming in and out. Your responsibility includes checking travel paperwork for individuals and companies and ensuring immigration compliance.

• Salary per annum: $88,600
• Degree required:  U.S. Citizenship, High School Diploma, pass a fitness test and background check
• Who is hiring: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
• Best way to get the job: Meet citizenship and eligibility requirements, pass the CBP application process (written test, interview, medical exam), attend Border Patrol Agent training academy

6. Real Estate Agent 

As a real estate agent, you play a vital role in helping people buy, sell, and rent properties in different areas. Whether it’s assisting residential clients in smaller towns or focusing on larger commercial properties, your job is diverse. 

Your daily tasks involve listing properties, drafting contracts, organizing viewings, and building a client base. With a background in sociology, you can grasp important concepts like social groups and demographics, which can enhance your professional skills.

• Salary per annum: $97,925
• Degree required:  Varies by state (may not require a degree, but most require a real estate license)
• Who is hiring: Real estate brokerages, independent firms
• Best way to get the job: Earn your real estate license, complete pre-licensing coursework, find a sponsoring broker, network with other agents, develop strong communication and sales skills

7. Part-Time Teacher 

As a part-time teacher, you teach students in places like colleges and universities, going beyond high school education. You might also write scholarly papers and conduct research for your studies. With a sociology degree, you have many options to explore, such as psychology, anthropology, and economics, in your career.

• Salary per annum: $121,173
• Degree required:  Varies depending on the grade level and subject (a Bachelor’s degree is generally required, some schools may accept an Associate’s degree with experience for certain subjects)
• Who is hiring: Public schools, private schools, tutoring centers, adult education programs
• Best way to get the job: Earn a relevant degree and teaching certification (if required), gain experience through volunteer work or tutoring, and develop strong communication and instructional skills

8. Project Manager

As a project manager, you are in charge of overseeing the daily operations of your company’s projects. You play a crucial role in identifying and managing any risks associated with the projects. 

Also, you are responsible for managing the project’s resources, finances, and quality, ensuring accurate records are kept. You also make sure that the project stays on track according to the schedule and provide assistance to employees to ensure its successful completion.

• Salary per annum: $88,400
• Degree required: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Project Management, or related field (experience often highly valued)
• Who is hiring: Businesses of all sizes, across various industries (construction, IT, marketing, etc.)
• Best way to get the job: Earn a relevant degree, gain experience in project coordination or management, obtain a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, develop strong organizational and communication skills

9. Policy Analyst 

As a policy analyst, your job involves studying and shaping government rules, policies, and laws. You assess the impact of existing policies and propose new ones. Your goal is to enhance the efficiency of government agencies and contribute to building a better, more stable society.

• Salary per annum: $84.400
• Degree required: Master’s degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Economics, or related field (Bachelor’s degree with experience may be considered)
• Who is hiring: Government agencies, non-profit organizations

10. Digital marketing manager

As a digital marketing manager, you will create plans to get people interested in what a company offers. You will set up advertising budgets, decide which media types to use, and check how ads look. You will also be in charge of hiring advertising and marketing staff who handle online ads every day.

• Salary per annum: $64,400
• Degree required: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications
• Who is hiring: Businesses of all sizes, marketing agencies, advertising firms, e-commerce companies
• Best way to get the job: Earn a relevant degree, intern at a marketing agency or company, build a portfolio showcasing your digital marketing skills (e.g., social media campaigns, content creation), obtain certifications (e.g., Google Ads, social media platforms)

11. Consultant

When you work as a consultant, you bring fresh ideas to a company about a specific topic. Depending on what you specialize in, you might help with training strategies or find better ways for the company to achieve its goals. 

You will often team up with top managers to come up with plans and write marketing strategies. This helps the company run smoother, sell more, and make its brand more known.

• Salary per annum: $90,100
• Degree required: Varies depending on the consulting field (e.g., Business Consultant – Bachelor’s in Business Administration; Management Consultant – MBA)
• Who is hiring: Consulting firms, government agencies, corporations
• Best way to get the job: Earn a relevant degree, gain experience in your field (e.g., business analyst, project manager), network with professionals in the consulting industry, develop strong communication and problem-solving skills

12. Urban planner

As an urban planner, you create plans to organize how land is used in communities. You consider how the population is growing and make changes to improve buildings and facilities in towns or cities. You will go out to gather information, read about the environment, and talk to government officials to make smart choices for community development. 

• Salary per annum: $75,000
• Degree required: Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Public Policy, or related field (Bachelor’s in Architecture or Landscape Architecture may be considered)
• Who is hiring: Government agencies, planning firms, private development companies
• Best way to get the job: Earn a relevant degree, intern at a planning agency or government office, participate in relevant professional organizations, and develop strong analytical and communication skills

13. District manager

As a district manager, your role is to find ways to make your organization run better. You work on making workplaces more efficient and often talk with both customers and employees. Your main goals are to make more money and spend less on daily costs. Usually, a company has many district managers looking after stores in specific areas.

• Salary per annum: $74,400
• Degree required: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Retail Management
• Who is hiring: Retail chains, restaurant chains, service companies with multiple locations
• Best way to get the job: Gain experience in the industry (e.g., store manager, assistant district manager), develop strong leadership and communication skills, track record of exceeding sales goals

14. Lawyer

As a lawyer, you use your analytical and critical thinking skills to present cases to an opposing attorney, jury, or judge. You gather evidence that supports your client’s position by conducting research. 

If you have a sociology background, you might want to choose a specialty like immigration law, family law, criminal defense, or estate planning that aligns with your interests.

• Salary per annum: $98,400
• Degree required: Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school
• Who is hiring: Law firms, corporations, government agencies
• Best way to get the job: Earn your JD, pass the bar exam in your desired state, network with lawyers in your area of interest, participate in law school clinics or internships

15. Administrative Officer

As an administrative officer in a healthcare setting, your role involves various tasks. You establish policies, manage the organization’s budget, and oversee department heads. 

Your main focus is on improving patient care by making sure the healthcare facility runs efficiently. Depending on your company, you may hire healthcare providers, communicate with management, and create staff schedules.

• Salary per annum: $77,700
• Degree required: Varies depending on the employer (may require a high school diploma, Associate’s degree, or Bachelor’s degree depending on the responsibilities)
• Who is hiring: Businesses of all sizes, government agencies, educational institutions
• Best way to get the job: Develop strong administrative and organizational skills, experience with office software (e.g., Microsoft Office), obtain relevant certifications (e.g., administrative assistant certification)

16. Detective 

As a detective, you play a crucial role in protecting people’s lives and property by gathering evidence to catch criminals. This involves talking to witnesses, questioning suspects, and making arrests. You can specialize in different areas like investigating fraud or solving homicide cases.

• Salary per annum: $90,100
• Degree required: Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, or related field (some departments may accept an Associate’s degree with experience)
• Who is hiring: Local police departments, sheriff’s offices, state police agencies
• Best way to get the job: Earn a relevant degree, meet physical fitness requirements, attend a police academy, gain experience as a patrol officer, and develop strong investigative and problem-solving skills

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

You can get many of the highest paying sociology degree jobs options, whether you focus on social work, criminology, or psychology. You should keep looking beyond the typical job listings. 

You might find unexpected opportunities that match your interests and fit your lifestyle and financial needs. So, stay open-minded and don’t hesitate to explore different paths.