Sociologists
Study human society and social behavior by examining the groups and social institutions that people form, as well as various social, religious, political, and business organizations. May study the behavior and interaction of groups, trace their origin and growth, and analyze the influence of group activities on individual members.
AI Impact Summary
Sociologists faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 29/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 34% of all analyzed occupations. Of 15 analyzed tasks, 0 are highly automatable. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Sociologists skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.
Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Creative Writing Specialization
by Wesleyan University
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Inspired Leadership Through Emotional Intelligence
by Case Western Reserve University
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
15 tasks analyzed
Analyze and interpret data to increase the understanding of human social behavior.
Collect data about the attitudes, values, and behaviors of people in groups, using observation, interviews, and review of documents.
Prepare publications and reports containing research findings.
Plan and conduct research to develop and test theories about societal issues such as crime, group relations, poverty, and aging.
Teach sociology.
Develop, implement, and evaluate methods of data collection, such as questionnaires or interviews.
Present research findings at professional meetings.
Develop approaches to the solution of groups' problems, based on research findings in sociology and related disciplines.
Direct work of statistical clerks, statisticians, and others who compile and evaluate research data.
Observe group interactions and role affiliations to collect data, identify problems, evaluate progress, and determine the need for additional change.
Consult with and advise individuals such as administrators, social workers, and legislators regarding social issues and policies, as well as the implications of research findings.
Develop problem intervention procedures, using techniques such as interviews, consultations, role playing, and participant observation of group interactions.
Collaborate with research workers in other disciplines.
Write grants to obtain funding for research projects.
Explain sociological research to the general public.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyze and interpret data to increase the understanding of human social behavior. | 40.35Observed | 43.1% | 15% | |
| Collect data about the attitudes, values, and behaviors of people in groups, using observation, interviews, and review of documents. | 44.53Observed | 32.8% | 10% | |
| Prepare publications and reports containing research findings. | 60.02Observed | 51.0% | 10% | |
| Plan and conduct research to develop and test theories about societal issues such as crime, group relations, poverty, and aging. | 64.53Observed | 52.8% | 12% | |
| Teach sociology. | 35Estimated | 29.0% | 10% | |
| Develop, implement, and evaluate methods of data collection, such as questionnaires or interviews. | 65.7Observed | 53.3% | 8% | |
| Present research findings at professional meetings. | 30Estimated | 27.0% | 4% | |
| Develop approaches to the solution of groups' problems, based on research findings in sociology and related disciplines. | 66.57Observed | 53.6% | 5% | |
| Direct work of statistical clerks, statisticians, and others who compile and evaluate research data. | 30Estimated | 27.0% | 4% | |
| Observe group interactions and role affiliations to collect data, identify problems, evaluate progress, and determine the need for additional change. | 30Estimated | 39.0% | 5% | |
| Consult with and advise individuals such as administrators, social workers, and legislators regarding social issues and policies, as well as the implications of research findings. | 35Estimated | 29.0% | 4% | |
| Develop problem intervention procedures, using techniques such as interviews, consultations, role playing, and participant observation of group interactions. | 67.05Observed | 53.8% | 3% | |
| Collaborate with research workers in other disciplines. | 63.28Observed | 40.3% | 2% | |
| Write grants to obtain funding for research projects. | 70Estimated | 55.0% | 5% | |
| Explain sociological research to the general public. | 60Estimated | 39.0% | 3% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 30.8%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$101,690
per year
Mean Wage
$111,670
per year
Employment
3K
workers
Wage Range
$60,710 - $168,590
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Explore other career paths
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Alternate Career Paths
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32%Median salary: $76,210
Higher risk than 49% of other occupations
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
32%Median salary: $84,290
Higher risk than 52% of other occupations
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary
33%Median salary: $82,540
Higher risk than 54% of other occupations
Geography Teachers, Postsecondary
33%Median salary: $86,730
Higher risk than 56% of other occupations
Political Scientists
34%Median salary: $139,380
Higher risk than 60% of other occupations
Geographers
34%Median salary: $97,200
Higher risk than 63% of other occupations
Sales Managers
25%Higher risk than 20% of other occupations
Chief Executives
26%Higher risk than 23% of other occupations
General and Operations Managers
28%Higher risk than 29% of other occupations
Marketing Managers
30%Higher risk than 38% of other occupations
Advertising and Promotions Managers
31%Higher risk than 43% of other occupations
Computer and Information Systems Managers
31%Higher risk than 45% of other occupations
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Sociologists professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Instructing
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change