A master’s in Sociology is ideal for students trying to increase their understanding of society, culture, social change and human behavior. This advanced degree can prepare students to think critically about different environments, groups of individuals and government systems. With critical understanding of these subjects, graduates can feel empowered to pursue a variety of careers in the sociology and human services sectors.

There are plenty of career paths you might consider after getting your master’s in sociology. Many employers in these fields will only hire candidates with advanced degrees. Even if you don’t need a master’s or doctorate to begin a designated career path, having an advanced degree can increase your salary and help your job application stand out from the bunch.

Sociology professor
If you are interested in working with students in their understanding of sociology, you might decide to pursue a career as a postsecondary professor in the subject. Many college professors pursue a doctorate in their field at some point in their careers, which provides them with more prestige and opportunities for higher salaries.

If you pursue this career path, you can expect a rewarding career with excellent benefits. The median income in this field is approximately $73,080, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Sociologist
Working as a sociologist involves studying and researching social behavior, with particular focus on cultures, social institutions and other organizations. Sociologists coordinate research projects to test their theories about various social issues and collect information through interviews, observations and surveys. This data can help them reach conclusions about certain institutions and groups, which they can share with their peers and the public to provide others with enlightenment on this topic. Sociologists might study a range of subjects, including:

• Criminology
• Education
• Health
• Wealth and poverty
• Families and relationships
• Gender, racial and ethnic relations

Oftentimes, sociologists are required to work directly alongside other professionals, such as psychologists, economists, statisticians or others in the research field to share and convey their findings. Typically, sociologists work in an office setting but may conduct research and interviews in the field. The median salary for sociologists is approximately $79,650, as reported by the BLS.

Survey researcher
Like sociologists, survey researchers collect data to understand individuals’ and groups’ opinions and beliefs. These professionals place a significant emphasis on the planning and design of these surveys, ensuring the questions are thorough yet simple enough for all subjects to understand. They might analyze their findings using various techniques, including advanced statistical software. Once they collect this data, they might group this data into tables, graphs and other tangible records.

To become a survey researcher, you typically need to obtain a master’s or Ph.D. in social sciences, survey research or statistics. Before beginning this career, you should try to gain internship experience to increase your credibility in the field.

Career outlooks
There are plenty of career options you can choose from after getting your master’s in sociology. Many employers in these fields will only hire candidates with advanced degrees. Additionally, having a master’s degree can increase your salary. Other careers you can pursue with a master’s in sociology include:

• Drug and alcohol counselor
  • Job outlook: 23 percent
  • Median pay: $43,300
• Social and community service manager
  • Job outlook: 18 percent
  • Median pay: $64,100