8 Master’s In Sociology Careers (With Salaries and Duties)

Sociology is a social science that examines society and how humans socially interact with each other based on norms, values, and morals. This study is important because it increases the understanding of how society influences humans’ behavior and thoughts. Understanding the careers you can pursue with a master’s in sociology can help you determine which path interests you. In this article, we discuss eight master’s in sociology careers that you can pursue and provide tips on choosing a career with a master’s in sociology.

8 master’s in sociology careers

Here’s a list of eight careers you can apply for with a master’s in sociology. For the most up-to-date Indeed salaries, please click on the links below:

1. Case manager

Average salary: $39,350 per year

Primary duties: A case manager works in the social work field and coordinates health and human services care for their clients. They’re often employed at agencies and institutions to help clients with their health and human services needs, typically using minimal counseling strategies. Case managers interview clients to understand their needs and connect them to other services they may find helpful. Additionally, they plan and implement strategies for their clients and track their clients’ progress in achieving their needs.

2. Probation officer

Average salary: $43,756 per year

Primary duties: Probation officers work as part of the judicial branch and help former prisoners adjust back to civilian life safely. Their duties include meeting with clients and their families to measure their progress, address questions they may have, recommend rehabilitation or treatment centers, and document any violations. Probation officers prepare and maintain case files for their clients while administering tests for substances. They also use critical thinking skills to determine if clients are meeting their goals of reintegrating into society successfully.

3. Substance abuse counselor

Average salary: $46,718 per year

Primary duties: A substance abuse counselor supports those who experience challenges with substances or behaviors like eating disorders. These professionals create plans with their clients to help them maintain their recovery and find healthy coping mechanisms to use. Some of their duties include evaluating clients’ health and challenges, helping them find careers, and meeting with their clients’ friends and family to give them guidance and support. Additionally, substance abuse counselors can refer their clients to support groups for additional encouragement in their treatment.

4. Public affairs specialist

Average salary: $53,516 per year

Primary duties: Public affairs specialists are responsible for positively representing an organization and communicating with the public to create support for the organization. Their duties include lobbying for policies and legislation in favor of the organization they represent, sharing information with stakeholders in person or through the media, and monitoring political activity and data. They may also provide advice or perform consultations with their organizations. Meeting with new people every day and working in public policy is a large part of this role.

5. Urban planner

Average salary: $65,175 per year

Primary duties: An urban planner creates plans and programs for land usage. This includes planning communities and allowing room for growth to occur. Urban planners conduct on-site investigations to examine land for their plans, determine if they can accept or decline proposals for land plans, and stay updated on zoning and building codes. Additionally, they identify their local communities’ needs that they can solve, such as the need for new schools or parks. Urban planners are also responsible for researching, analyzing data, and collaborating with members of the community to create their plans.

6. Data analyst

Average salary: $65,408 per year

Primary duties: Data analysts translate data into simpler terms for their organization’s stakeholders to help them make decisions about their business strategies. A data analyst may also work with their technology, management, and data scientist teams to create goals for them to work toward. Additionally, data analysts research trends or patterns that appear in the data and design and maintain databases and data systems to use. They also find new areas for their organization to improve their data and extract data from sources.

7. Human resources manager

Average salary: $70,359 per year

Primary duties: A human resources manager, or HR manager, oversees and manages an organization’s human resources department. They can hire people and manage any challenges with their payroll system. HR managers recruit and screen new employees and explain job perks and benefits to new hires. Additionally, they share company updates with current employees, including changes to benefits, raises, bonuses or any disputes they might encounter. HR managers also communicate with executives about strategic planning and share this information with employees.

8. Policy analyst

Average salary: $78,480 per year

Primary duties: Policy analysts examine and revise current and new policies, working on general or specialized subject areas depending on what their organization needs. These professionals collect and compile information by conducting surveys and focus groups, and they often do fieldwork and travel for business. Their other duties include analyzing challenges regarding policies and recommending solutions to remedy them. Additionally, they share information by writing briefs, speeches, or books that include infographics to make the information easier to visualize.

Tips for choosing a career with a master’s in sociology

Here are some tips for choosing a career with a master’s in sociology:

• Consider your interests: When choosing a career in sociology, consider your personal and professional interests. This may involve thinking about what you found interesting while you were studying in school or considering your interests that connect to sociology outside of the classroom.

• Understand your skills: Consider your strengths and your skills when looking for a career in sociology. For example, you might look for a job that involves using your critical thinking skills and research skills to help your clients achieve their goals.

• Choose academic or social work: It can also be helpful to decide between working in the academic field or the social work field. With academics, you can work in universities or as a counselor in high schools, while social work involves helping people or communities in need.

• Determine where you want to live: You might also choose a career in sociology based on where you want to live and work. It can also be helpful to determine if you’re interested in traveling for work when searching for a career.

I hope you find this article helpful.