How much does a sociology professor make?
Answer: A typical sociology professor in the United States makes $84,290 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 12,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Sociology professor pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $49,930 | $84,290 | $160,140 | about 12,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $127,680 | about 810 |
| New York | $97,540 | about 1,000 |
| Massachusetts | $96,790 | about 580 |
| Texas | $81,220 | about 1,000 |
| Ohio | $79,690 | about 550 |
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can vary with experience, job rank and tenure, location, and whether a professor works full time or part time. Colleges and universities may pay differently from community colleges.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a sociology professor do?
Teach courses in sociology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
What's a typical day like?
They teach sociology, guide class discussions, and grade student work. Between classes, they meet students during office hours and may research society or write papers.
How to get this job
In the US, study sociology in college and usually earn a Ph.D.; some community-college or part-time jobs may accept a master’s. Many graduate students gain teaching practice as teaching assistants, and four-year colleges typically seek a doctorate.
Graduate degree or long training (preparation level 5 of 5)
Good for people who like helping and teaching and figuring things out.
Did you know?
Some US college professors teach classes with several hundred students, while others lead seminars with just a few.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Educational Instruction and Library jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
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/oes251067.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/25-1067.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY