How much does a social science prof make?
a year · about $35 an hour
A typical social science prof in the United States makes $72,990 a year, about $35 an hour, about 1.4× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They plan lessons, teach social-science classes, grade papers, and advise students. Between classes, they may research questions, write papers, meet colleagues, or hold office hours.
Did you know? A professor may spend up to seven years moving through job ranks before earning tenure, a form of job protection.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $40,670 and $164,420How do you become one?
In the U.S., earn a bachelor’s degree, then usually a Ph.D. in a social-science field; doctoral study takes several years. Graduate students can teach as assistants, and some community colleges accept a master’s degree.
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can differ with experience, advanced degrees or other credentials, and location. It also depends on whether someone works at a university or community college and whether the job is full-time or part-time.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in California ($132,920), lowest in Arkansas ($37,490).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,670 | $72,990 | $164,420 | about 17,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $132,920 | about 3,000 |
| Rhode Island | $126,630 | about 140 |
| Minnesota | $102,430 | about 110 |
| Utah | $101,970 | about 60 |
| Massachusetts | $98,260 | about 410 |
Official definition: All postsecondary social sciences teachers not listed separately.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/postsecondary-teachers.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes251069.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/25-1069.00
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY