How much does a sociology professor make?
a year · about $41 an hour
A typical sociology professor in the United States makes $84,290 a year, about $41 an hour, about 1.7× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
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.
Did you know? Some US college professors teach classes with several hundred students, while others lead seminars with just a few.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $49,930 and $160,140How do you become one?
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.
School needed: Graduate degree or long training
Good for people who like helping and teaching and figuring things out
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.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in California ($127,680), lowest in Kentucky ($61,260).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
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Data table and sources
| 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 |
| Delaware | $123,710 | — |
| New Hampshire | $112,890 | about 40 |
| District of Columbia | $103,160 | about 70 |
| Michigan | $102,870 | about 370 |
Official definition: Teach courses in sociology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
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