40 Jobs for People With a Sociology Degree

Completing a sociology degree can prepare you for an interesting career that involves exploring relationships and society. As a sociologist, you might examine social behaviour and influence in cultures, institutions, and groups to determine how they impact society as a whole. If you are pursuing a sociology degree or you recently graduated with one, then you might be interested in learning about the different career paths available based on your education.

In this article, we list some of the top sociology jobs in different industries, share what skills can help you advance your career, and explore which job opportunities are available based on the type of sociology degree you have.

Related: What Does a Sociologist Do?

High-paying sociology jobs

It is important to consider what type of industry you want to work in and where you want to be located since each province, territory, and job role may have different requirements. You may also want to consider which career path aligns with your financial goals. According to the Canadian Job Bank, the median pay for social science professionals is $35.00 per hour.

The amount you earn may vary based on the industry you choose, your work experience, your educational background, and the job title you have. For example, a criminology researcher may earn more than a high school sociology teacher. Salary can also be affected by the location of your job and the cost of living in your area. Some of the industries that offer high-paying sociology jobs include:

• Consulting firms for technical, management, and scientific work

• Government agencies

• Social advocacy organizations

• Research and development firms

Sociology job market

Sociology is a broad field that offers many career paths. Having employment opportunities in a variety of industries provides you with diverse choices, which can allow you to explore several types of sociology jobs throughout your career. For many recent graduates, this can provide the freedom to try different entry-level positions to determine which field they are best suited for. If you choose to continue your education and pursue an advanced degree in sociology, you can further increase your job opportunities.

The Canadian Job Bank states that the job outlook for social science professionals varies based on each province or territory. You can use a search engine to research what the job prospects are like for sociologists in your desired area.

What can you do with a sociology degree?

As sociology majors gain hands-on training and work experience, their career path often becomes more defined. To improve your potential for jobs in a specific industry or field, consider completing additional certification programs that can help you develop relevant skills. As a sociology major, you might consider pursuing certification in one of the following areas:

• Social psychology

• Sociology of illness and health

• Advanced statistical techniques

• Data analysis

• Research and statistics

• Linguistics

• Global populations

• Archeology

• Anthropology

Top sociology degree jobs

Earning a sociology degree can help you prepare for numerous careers in a wide variety of industries, including business, government, education, and research. The following is a sample of careers in each of these industries.

Business and industry sociology degree jobs

Some of the top jobs in the business industry for sociology majors include:

1. Market research analyst

2. Technical writer

3. Consumer relations specialist

4. Bank clerk

5. Management consultant

6. Human resources manager

7. Merchandiser

8. Media planner

9. Quality control inspector

10. Public relations specialist

Government sociology degree jobs

There are a wide variety of government positions available for sociology majors, including:

1. Program services officer

2. Human rights officer

3. Urban planner

4. Personnel coordinator

5. Employment specialist

6. Legislative assistant

7. Public opinion research specialist

8. Social worker

9. Policy analyst

10. Political scientist

Education sociology degree jobs

If you wish to pursue a career in education with your sociology degree, some career paths you might consider include:

1. Teacher

2. Admissions counsellor

3. Public health educator

4. Guidance counsellor

5. Historian

6. University professor

7. School administrator

8. Education research consultant

9. Career counsellor

10. Student service representative

Research sociology degree jobs

If you enjoy interpreting analytics and identifying patterns, working in the research field may interest you. Some research career paths you can explore include:

1. Social researcher

2. Market researcher

3. Interviewer

4. Census researcher

5. Statistician

6. Consumer researcher

7. Criminology researcher

8. Survey technician

9. Data analyst

10. Gerontologist

Related: Gerontologist vs. Geriatrician: Definitions and Differences

Other sociology degree career fields

Additional career fields you may be interested in as a sociology major include:

1. Journalism

2. Public administration

3. Healthcare

4. Criminal justice system

5. Nonprofit organizations

6. Communications

7. Law enforcement

8. Gerontology

Skills you need for sociology jobs

Here are some skills that can help you advance in your sociology career:

Communication

Having excellent oral and written communication skills can help you relay information accurately as a sociologist. Practice clear and concise communication when writing research papers or proposals to make it easy for other professionals to understand your findings. Depending on which career path you choose, you may be responsible for conducting interviews, leading meetings, or giving presentations, so honing your public speaking skills can also benefit you.

Read more: Communication Skills: Definitions and Examples

Problem-solving

Sociologists often analyze data to find solutions to complex issues. Being able to gather and interpret information accurately can help you advise other professionals, companies, or government officials on their options when faced with challenging situations. Practice using statistical methods to test theories. This can help you develop your problem-solving capabilities as a sociologist.

Attention to detail

Depending on which sociology career path you choose, you may be responsible for assessing large quantities of data. Learning how to interpret data carefully to identify patterns and inconsistencies can help you develop accurate conclusions. Take the time to proofread your research papers, proposals, and other documents before you submit them. You can also ask a colleague to review your work to ensure the information you compile is factual and presented in a professional way.

Read more: Attention to Detail

Critical thinking and deductive reasoning

As a sociologist, you may use your critical thinking and deductive reasoning skills to identify inconsistencies in data and predict future outcomes. These skills can also help you study how the actions people take correlate with their thought processes, values, demographics, and beliefs. To practice analyzing information, connect all parts or steps involved, test theories, and develop conclusions.

Read more: 6 Critical Thinking Skills and Why They are Important at Work

Sociology jobs for advanced degrees

If you are considering pursuing a sociology degree or continuing your education, it is important to understand how different degrees may provide you with different career opportunities. The following is a list of programs you may enroll in as a sociology student, as well as the types of jobs you may be eligible to apply for after completing each degree or certificate:

Diploma and certificate programs

Completing a diploma or certificate program in sociology typically takes one to four years, depending on which institution you choose to enroll in and what province it is located in. Completing a diploma or certificate program may provide you with the opportunity to apply for entry-level sociology positions. Some entry-level jobs you may be interested in include:

• Social service assistant

• Human service assistant

• Case manager

• Correctional officer

• Administrative assistant

These entry-level positions can provide you with valuable work experience and help you determine which career field you would like to pursue.

Read more: Understanding Entry-Level Jobs

Undergraduate degree

Completing an undergraduate program in sociology usually takes three or four years of full-time study, depending on the specific degree you plan to obtain and which province you attend school in. Your undergraduate coursework can prepare you with the sociology skills and experience many employers look for when reviewing job applicants. Some of the jobs you may apply for after receiving your undergraduate degree include:

• Private consulting

• Parole or probation officer

• High school teacher

• Survey researcher

• Housing manager

• Community outreach coordinator

• Alcohol and drug addiction counsellor

• Social service worker

Master's degree

If you choose to continue your education, you can obtain a master's degree in sociology, which typically requires two years of study to complete. This can prepare you to apply for executive positions and leadership roles. Some of the jobs you may pursue after obtaining your master's degree include:

• Human services educator

• University professor

• Director of human services agency

• Social and community service manager

• Sociological researcher

• Geriatric social worker

Doctorate

A doctorate program in sociology typically takes three to five years of study and research to complete. In addition to this, you may need to complete a dissertation. With a doctorate, you can increase your career options and earning potential. Sociologists at this level manage projects where they are in control of conducting research. Earning your doctorate in sociology can also prepare you for directorship positions. This can provide you with excellent job security and the potential to work at the highest levels of your desired organization.