All careers › Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary
Sociology professor: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $49,930lowest 10% earn less
- $64,99025th percentile
- $84,290median
- $110,65075th percentile
- $160,140top 10% earn more
A sociology professor earned a median of $84,290 a year in May 2025[1]. BLS projects employment to grow 2.2% from 2025 to 2035, a little below the 3.5% projected for all occupations[2][3].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- +2.2%[2]
- Openings per year
- 1,000[6]
- Typical entry education
- Doctoral or professional degree[7]
How much do sociology professors make?
BLS calls this group Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary. The median wage was $84,290 a year in May 2025[1]. Half of the workers earned more than that and half earned less. The mean (average) was $96,980 a year[8]. BLS publishes only annual wages for this group, not hourly wages, because many work fewer than 2,080 hours a year but are paid yearly[9].
The range is wide. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $49,930 a year, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $64,990[4]. The highest-paid 25% earned more than $110,650, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $160,140[4].
The median annual wage across all occupations was $50,980[5]. A percentile is a boundary line in the pay data, and BLS does not publish a starting salary[10]. These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed, and they do not include benefits or certain bonuses[11].
Pay by state and city
California had the highest state-level median at $127,680, followed by Delaware at $123,710 and New Hampshire at $112,890[12]. Kentucky had the lowest published median at $61,260[12]. Some states have very few jobs, so their medians rest on small counts[12].
New York had the most jobs, at 1,130, followed by Texas with 1,040 and California with 810[13]. Among metro areas, San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA had the highest median at $141,950, and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA came next at $128,010[14]. The metro area with the most jobs was New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ with 1,020 jobs and a median of $99,850[15].
Show median pay in 45 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| California[12] | $127,680 | 810 |
| Delaware | $123,710 | n/a |
| New Hampshire | $112,890 | 40 |
| District of Columbia | $103,160 | 70 |
| Michigan | $102,870 | 370 |
| Oregon | $101,960 | 150 |
| Connecticut | $101,490 | 320 |
| Pennsylvania | $99,660 | 440 |
| Utah | $99,350 | 70 |
| New York | $97,540 | 1,130 |
| Massachusetts | $96,790 | 580 |
| Maryland | $95,980 | 200 |
| Vermont | $87,620 | 40 |
| Nevada | $87,480 | 100 |
| Minnesota | $87,340 | 240 |
| Wisconsin | $84,960 | 450 |
| Georgia | $84,330 | 230 |
| Idaho | $84,140 | 50 |
| Louisiana | $83,700 | 80 |
| Washington | $83,140 | 200 |
| Illinois | $82,610 | 440 |
| Iowa | $81,910 | 140 |
| Texas | $81,220 | 1,040 |
| Indiana | $79,880 | 290 |
| Ohio | $79,690 | 550 |
| Colorado | $78,630 | 220 |
| Kansas | $78,630 | 110 |
| Arizona | $78,430 | 230 |
| South Carolina | $78,410 | 120 |
| New Jersey | $78,350 | 550 |
| Virginia | $78,120 | 400 |
| Missouri | $77,800 | 100 |
| New Mexico | $77,740 | 50 |
| West Virginia | $77,380 | 60 |
| Tennessee | $77,370 | 190 |
| North Carolina | $76,430 | 550 |
| Nebraska | $76,230 | 70 |
| Maine | $76,010 | 80 |
| Montana | $75,880 | 30 |
| Alabama | $73,670 | 210 |
| Mississippi | $70,860 | 90 |
| Oklahoma | $64,900 | 120 |
| South Dakota | $64,210 | 40 |
| Florida | $63,470 | 230 |
| Arkansas | $62,390 | 30 |
| Kentucky | $61,260 | 150 |
How to become a sociology professor
BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical education for entry. It lists no related work experience and no on-the-job training[7]. The Occupational Outlook Handbook profile used for the details below covers all postsecondary teachers, a wider group[16].
- First: earn a bachelor's or master's degree. Students typically need one of these to enroll in a doctoral program[17].
- Next: complete a doctorate. Doctoral programs usually take several years, and most require a dissertation of original research that you defend before experts[17].
- Then: look for teaching experience. Some teachers gain it as graduate teaching assistants[18]. Schools may prefer applicants with teaching or other work experience[19].
- Later: teachers with a doctorate often seek tenure, which protects a professor from being fired without just cause. Reaching it may take up to 7 years through the ranks of assistant professor, associate professor and professor[20].
At 4-year colleges and universities, a doctorate is typical[21]. For some specialties or part-time posts, schools may hire someone with a master's degree or a doctoral candidate[21]. Community colleges may hire people with a master's degree, though some prefer a doctorate[22].
In an O*NET survey of 35 workers, 77% said a doctoral degree was required and 23% said a master's degree[23]. That is a small survey, so read it as a rough picture.
What sociology professors do
O*NET says these teachers teach sociology courses. Some mainly teach, and others combine teaching with research[24]. Typical tasks include:
- Grading student work, assignments and papers[25].
- Leading and guiding class discussions[25].
- Writing, giving and grading exams, or handing that work to others[25].
- Preparing and delivering lectures to undergraduate or graduate students[25].
- Preparing syllabi, homework and handouts[25].
- Keeping up with the field through reading, colleagues and conferences[25].
- Doing research and publishing the findings[25].
- Supervising student teaching, internship and research work[25].
Workers report titles such as assistant professor, associate professor, lecturer and adjunct instructor[26].
Where they work
In the wider group of postsecondary teachers, colleges, universities and professional schools run by states employed the largest share, at 41% in 2025[27].
Most postsecondary teachers work full time, though part-time work is common[28]. Courses are mostly held during the day, with some in evenings or on weekends[29]. Schedules are generally flexible. Full-time teachers need to be on campus to teach and hold office hours, but otherwise set their own hours[30]. Academic calendars include breaks between terms, and teachers may use summers for teaching, research or professional development[31]. The profile notes that balancing teaching with research and publishing can be stressful, especially for beginning teachers who want to advance[32].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of sociology teachers at the postsecondary level to grow 2.2% from 2025 to 2035[2]. That is from about 14,600 to 15,000 jobs, a gain of 300[2]. Across all occupations, projected growth is 3.5%[3]. These projection counts include self-employed workers, so they differ from the 11,850 wage and salary jobs counted in the May 2025 pay survey[33][2].
BLS expects about 1,000 openings a year on average from 2025 to 2035[6]. Openings count more than new jobs. They also include positions that open when people retire or switch occupations[6]. Each year, an estimated 3.5% of workers leave the labor force and 3% move to a different occupation[34].
Is it a good fit?
The facts show a median wage above the all-occupation median[1][5] and a wide pay range[4]. The usual route needs a doctoral degree, which takes several years[7][17]. Tenure, where it applies, can take up to 7 years[20]. Projected growth is slightly below the all-occupation rate[2][3], and the number of openings is small[6]. Pay varies a lot by state[12].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a sociology professor make?
- The median was $84,290 a year in May 2025, and the mean was $96,980[1][8]. BLS publishes annual wages only for this group[9].
- What degree do you need to be a sociology professor?
- BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry education[7]. Community colleges may hire people with a master's degree[22].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary in the US was $84,290 per year. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary is projected to grow 2.2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 14,600 to 15,000 jobs (a change of +300). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary: 10th percentile $49,930, 25th percentile $64,990, 75th percentile $110,650, 90th percentile $160,140. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 1,000 openings for Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary: education needed for entry: Doctoral or professional degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary was $96,980 per year. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS publishes only annual wages for Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary, not hourly wages, because many work fewer than 2,080 hours a year but are paid yearly. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary jobs: New York 1,130; Texas 1,040; California 810; Massachusetts 580; New Jersey 550. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $141,950; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $128,010; Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $104,090; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $103,810; Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA $102,330; Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT $100,710; Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $99,980; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $99,850. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 1,020 (median $99,850); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 400 (median $103,810); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 310 (median $86,040); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 280 (median $128,010); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 210 (median $95,620); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 200 (median $97,580). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Postsecondary Teachers" covers Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET 25-1067.00 survey of workers (35 respondents), education level they say is required: Doctoral Degree 77%, Master's Degree 23% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
- O*NET description of Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 25-1067.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Adjunct Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Faculty Member, Instructor, Lecturer, Professor, Social Science Instructor. O*NET OnLine
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of postsecondary teachers in 2025: Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state 41%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 11,850 people were employed as Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary: 3.5% of workers leave the labor force each year and 3% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.