Sociologists
Machines can already do 57% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 79%. Most of the work is changing now.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Sociologists in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 57% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 38% of them.
- Forecast: machines can already do half of its tasks, and 79% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 2,260 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $106,030 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 61% for contact with people.
- Also called: Demographer, Evaluation Specialist, Medical Sociologist, Policy Analyst.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analyze and interpret data to increase the understanding of human social behavior | 18% | 80% to 97% | |
| Prepare publications and reports containing research findings | 16% | 76% to 96% | |
| Plan and conduct research to develop and test theories about societal issues such as crime, group relations, poverty, and aging | 12% | 45% to 75% | |
| Develop, implement, and evaluate methods of data collection, such as questionnaires or interviews | 10% | 35% to 65% | |
| Collect data about the attitudes, values, and behaviors of people in groups, using observation, interviews, and review of documents | 10% | 85% to 97% | |
| Collaborate with research workers in other disciplines | 6% | 10% to 30% | |
| Teach sociology | 5% | 25% to 55% | |
| 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 | 5% | 35% to 65% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills sociologists use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary66% of tasks by 2035 · US median $79,940
- Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary51% of tasks by 2035 · US median $42,910
- Geographers75% of tasks by 2035 · US median $102,040
- Geography Teachers, Postsecondary64% of tasks by 2035 · US median $97,590
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Sociologists?
Machines can already do half of its tasks. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of sociologists?
Machines can do 57% of the tasks of sociologists today and 79% by 2035. Most of the routine work moves to machines, and the people in the job move to oversight, judgement and client work.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 19-3041.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Sociologists: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/sociologists/