Sociologists: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Illinois (2024)

How does Sociologists salary grow from entry-level to senior in Illinois? State salary progression based on 2024 BLS data.

168% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • Illinois salary data • Updated 2026-04-06

Entry-Level (P10)
$68,350
$5,696/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$111,380
$9,282/mo
Senior (P90)
$183,000
$15,250/mo

Illinois vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$68,350
National: $62,388
+9.6%
Mid-Career (Median)
$111,380
National: $86,292
+29.1%
Senior (P90)
$183,000
National: $130,929
+39.8%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Sociologists in Illinois spans from $68,350 at entry-level to $183,000 at senior level — a difference of $114,650 per year.

P10
$68K
P25
$79K
Median
$111K
P75
$142K
P90
$183K

Career Growth Premium: +168%

Senior Sociologistss in Illinois earn $114,650 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$114,650
Monthly Difference
+$9,554
Hourly Difference
+$55.12
Growth Multiple
2.7x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Sociologists salary increases with experience in Illinois, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $68,350 $5,696 $32.86
Early Career P25 $79,810 $6,651 $38.37
Mid-Career Median $111,380 $9,282 $53.55
Experienced P75 $142,150 $11,846 $68.34
Senior / Expert P90 $183,000 $15,250 $87.98
Key Insight

Sociologists in Illinois shows strong salary progression over a career. Entry-level professionals start around $68,350, while senior-level professionals earn $183,000 — a 168% increase. The biggest salary jump typically occurs between mid-career ($111,380) and experienced level ($142,150), suggesting that specialization and leadership responsibilities are the key drivers of higher pay.

How Illinois Compares to Other States

Where does Illinois rank for Sociologists senior-level salaries? Compare Illinois's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$183,000
Entry: $68K
+168%
2
$175,560
Entry: $63K
+176%
3
$173,220
Entry: $73K
+135%
4
$167,000
Entry: $80K
+108%
5
$164,400
Entry: $30K
+442%
6
$153,880
Entry: $78K
+97%
7
$130,820
Entry: $64K
+102%
8
$115,880
Entry: $66K
+75%
9
$105,340
Entry: $49K
+112%
10
$98,450
Entry: $62K
+57%

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Sociologists?

Entry-level Sociologistss (10th percentile) earn approximately $68,350 per year, or $5,695 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $79,810. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Sociologists make?

Senior Sociologistss (90th percentile) earn approximately $183,000 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $142,150. This represents a career premium of 168% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Sociologists?

The career salary growth potential for Sociologistss is 168%. Entry-level professionals start at $68,350, while senior-level can earn up to $183,000 — a difference of $114,650 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Sociologistss?

The highest-paying state for senior Sociologistss is Illinois, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $183,000 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Sociologists salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

Related Salary Pages

About This Data

Salary percentile data for Illinois from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Illinois.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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