Sociologists
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations- O*NET-SOC code
- 19-3041.00
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.
- Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
Very high· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery highGroup-level value
Scale, basis and source
Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)
831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band
- Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.383
0.000Range of values carried here0.745Scale, basis and source
Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published
Mapped onto O*NET tasks
Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value
- Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.48
0.09Range of values carried here0.70Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
What kind of figure this source publishes
The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.
Task-level exposure
Show 4 hidden tasks13 rated tasks · 12 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (92.3%)
β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.
- Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
- All rated tasks are in the O*NET 31.0 task list.
- Source
- OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
- Release
- gh-main-0471612
- License
- MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI
| Task (O*NET 20.1) | Claude.aiRaw / share % | APIRaw / share % |
|---|---|---|
Plan and conduct research to develop and test theories about societal issues such as crime, group relations, poverty, and aging.19-3041.00 | 0.022825.1 | 0.00519.2 |
Develop approaches to the solution of groups' problems, based on research findings in sociology and related disciplines.19-3041.00 | 0.018820.7 | 0.00366.5 |
Prepare publications and reports containing research findings.19-3041.00 | 0.012613.9 | 0.00478.4 |
Develop, implement, and evaluate methods of data collection, such as questionnaires or interviews.19-3041.00 | 0.011112.2 | —0 |
Develop problem intervention procedures, using techniques such as interviews, consultations, role playing, and participant observation of group interactions.19-3041.00 | 0.00889.7 | 0.00437.8 |
Analyze and interpret data to increase the understanding of human social behavior.19-3041.00 | 0.00778.5 | —0 |
Collaborate with research workers in other disciplines.19-3041.00 | 0.00525.7 | —0 |
Collect data about the attitudes, values, and behaviors of people in groups, using observation, interviews, and review of documents.19-3041.00 | 0.00374.1 | 0.037768.1 |
Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime. The unit and the meaning differ from the observed shares (%) in the other tabs, so do not place them on the same axis.
| Task (O*NET 27.2) | βE1 + 0.5 × E2 |
|---|---|
Prepare publications and reports containing research findings.O*NET Task ID 5464 | 1.0 |
Collaborate with research workers in other disciplines.O*NET Task ID 5472 | 1.0 |
Analyze and interpret data to increase the understanding of human social behavior.O*NET Task ID 5465 | 0.5 |
Plan and conduct research to develop and test theories about societal issues such as crime, group relations, poverty, and aging.O*NET Task ID 5466 | 0.5 |
Collect data about the attitudes, values, and behaviors of people in groups, using observation, interviews, and review of documents.O*NET Task ID 5467 | 0.5 |
Develop, implement, and evaluate methods of data collection, such as questionnaires or interviews.O*NET Task ID 5468 | 0.5 |
Teach sociology.O*NET Task ID 5469 | 0.5 |
Direct work of statistical clerks, statisticians, and others who compile and evaluate research data.O*NET Task ID 5470 | 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.O*NET Task ID 5471 | 0.5 |
Develop approaches to the solution of groups' problems, based on research findings in sociology and related disciplines.O*NET Task ID 5473 | 0.5 |
Observe group interactions and role affiliations to collect data, identify problems, evaluate progress, and determine the need for additional change.O*NET Task ID 5474 | 0.5 |
Present research findings at professional meetings.O*NET Task ID 20868 | 0.5 |
β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.
Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Anthropic Economic Index, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page
All O*NET 31.0 task statements (15)
All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.
| Task (O*NET 31.0) | Type |
|---|---|
| Prepare publications and reports containing research findings. | Core |
| Analyze and interpret data to increase the understanding of human social behavior. | Core |
| Plan and conduct research to develop and test theories about societal issues such as crime, group relations, poverty, and aging. | Core |
| Collect data about the attitudes, values, and behaviors of people in groups, using observation, interviews, and review of documents. | Core |
| Develop, implement, and evaluate methods of data collection, such as questionnaires or interviews. | Core |
| Teach sociology. | Core |
| Direct work of statistical clerks, statisticians, and others who compile and evaluate research data. | Core |
| 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. | Core |
| Collaborate with research workers in other disciplines. | Core |
| Develop approaches to the solution of groups' problems, based on research findings in sociology and related disciplines. | Core |
| Observe group interactions and role affiliations to collect data, identify problems, evaluate progress, and determine the need for additional change. | Core |
| Develop problem intervention procedures, using techniques such as interviews, consultations, role playing, and participant observation of group interactions. | Core |
| Present research findings at professional meetings. | Core |
| Explain sociological research to the general public. | Core |
| Write grants to obtain funding for research projects. | Core |
0.00/ 3· Robot exposure index
Scale, basis and source
Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time
Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks
Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.
The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.
Tier of each physical task
None of this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks is classified as a physical task.
Occupation information
Employment outlook (BLS)
- Employment, 2025
- 3K
- Projected employment, 2035
- 3K
- Change (2025–35)
- +3.8%
- Median annual wage, 2025
- $106,030
- Typical education needed for entry
- Master's degree
Korea classification links (KSCO)
Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.
| KSCO code | KSCO title | Relation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21224 | 사회학 연구원 | Same scope | confirmed |
| 21225 | 사회복지학 연구원 | Related, not a match | confirmed |
Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)
ILO occupational description
AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.
- ISCO-08 2632Sociologists, Anthropologists and Related Professionals
The definition, tasks and examples below are the ILO's description of that unit group, not of this occupation.
Sociologists, anthropologists and related professionals investigate and describe the structure, origin and evolution of societies and the interdependence between environmental conditions and human activities. They provide advice on the practical application of their findings in the formulation of economic and social policies.
Tasks
- (a) conducting research on the origin, development, structure, social patterns, organizations and interrelationships of human society;
- (b) tracing the origin and evolution of humanity through the study of changing characteristics and cultural and social institutions;
- (c) tracing the development of humanity through the material remains of its past, such as dwellings, temples, tools, pottery, coins, weapons or sculpture;
- (d) studying physical and climatic aspects of areas and regions, and correlating these findings with economic, social and cultural activities;
- (e) developing theories, models and methods to interpret and describe social phenomena;
- (f) evaluating the outcome of political decisions concerning social policy;
- (g) analysing and evaluating social data;
- (h) advising on the practical application of findings in the formulation of economic and social policies for population groups and regions, and for the development of markets;
- (i) preparing scholarly papers and reports.
Example occupations
Anthropologist · Archaeologist · Criminologist · Ethnologist · Geographer · Sociologist
Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits
ESCO occupational vocabulary
Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.
- sociologistESCO 2632.6Same scope
Sociologists focus their research on explaining social behaviour and the way people have organised themselves as a society. They research and explain the way societies have evolved by describing their legal, political, and economic systems and their cultural expressions.
- anthropologistESCO 2632.1This occupation is broader
Anthropologists research all aspects of life pertaining to humans. They study the various civilisations that have existed along the time and their ways of organisation. They attempt to analyse the physical, societal, linguistic, political, economical, philosophical, and cultural aspects of different people. The aim of their studies is to understand and describe the past of humanity and solve topical societal problems. They explore different perspectives such as philosophical anthropology.
- behavioural scientistESCO 2632.3This occupation is broader
Behavioural scientists research, observe and describe human behaviour in society. They draw conclusions on the motives that stir actions in humans, observe the various circumstances for different behaviours, and describe different personalities. They advise organisations and governmental institutions on this field. They may also analyse the behaviour of animals.
- criminologistESCO 2632.4This occupation is broader
Criminologists study conditions pertaining to humans such as the social and psychological aspects that could lead them to commit criminal acts. They observe and analyse different factors ranging from behavioural conditions up to social background and environment of suspects in order to advise organisations on the prevention of crime.
- political scientistESCO 2633.3This occupation is broader
Political scientists study political behaviour, activity and systems, including the elements that fall therein. Their study of the field ranges from the origins and evolution of various political systems to topical matters such as decision-making processes, political behaviour, political trends, society, and power perspectives. They advise governments and institutional organisations on governance matters.
- media scientistESCO 2632.1.2Overlapping, not the same
Media scholars research the role and impact that media has on the society. They observe and document the usage of different kinds of media such as newspapers, radio and TV and the response from society.
- social work researcherESCO 2632.6.1Overlapping, not the same
Social work researchers manage research projects aiming to investigate and provide reports on social issues. They first perform research by gathering information through interviews, focus groups and questionnaires; followed by organising and analysing the gathered information using computer software packages. They analyse social problems and needs, and the different ways and techniques to respond to them.
Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)
License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)
ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.
France classification links (ROME)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.
| ROME code | ROME title (French) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| K2133 | Sociologue | Same scopeprovisional |
| K2134 | Démographe | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
| K2401 | Chercheur / Chercheuse en sciences humaines et sociales | Related, not a matchprovisional |
Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.
ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)
Spain classification links (CNO-11)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| CNO-11 code | CNO-11 title (Spanish) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 2821 | Sociólogos, geógrafos, antropólogos, arqueólogos y afines | This occupation is narrowerprovisional |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)
Germany classification links (KldB)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| KldB code | KldB title (German) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 91324 | Berufe in der Soziologie - hoch komplexe Tätigkeiten | Same scope |
| 91354 | Berufe in der Demografie - hoch komplexe Tätigkeiten | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)
Japan classification links (JSCO)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| JSCO code | JSCO title (Japanese) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 052 | 人文・社会科学系等研究者 | This occupation is narrowerprovisional |
Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)
Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources