Sociologist
Study how groups, institutions and societies shape people’s lives.
- $106,030
- 2–6 years after a bachelor’s
Education & Childcare career
Sociology Professor
Also called: Sociology Faculty · Sociology Instructor · Social Science Professor · Criminology Professor
What sociology professors do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a sociology professor do?
Sociology teachers, postsecondary, teach courses in sociology at colleges and universities and conduct research on social life. The median pay is $84,290 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 5–7 years after a bachelor’s, and employment is projected to grow +2.2% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$84,290Annual salary · May 2025
- Job growth+2.2%2025–35, slower than average
- Openings per year1,000Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationDoctoral or professional degreeBLS classification
- Time to train5–7 years after a bachelor’sTypical program length
- U.S. jobs14,600Employment, 2025
What sociology professors do
Sociology professors study society. They teach intro sociology, inequality, family, race, gender, work and research methods, conduct surveys, interviews and data analysis, publish research and help students understand social patterns.
Most hold a Ph.D.; community colleges often hire instructors with a master’s degree.
Typical duties
- Teach sociology courses
- Teach research methods
- Conduct surveys and interviews
- Analyze social data
- Publish research
- Mentor students
- Serve on committees
Work environment and schedule
Faculty work in classrooms, offices and communities where they conduct research.
Schedule: Teaching, research and service with flexible hours.
A day in the life
- Teach intro sociology.
- Hold office hours.
- Code interview transcripts.
- Teach social inequality.
See a full day in the life of a sociology professor →
Sociology Professor salary
Half of sociology professors earned more than $84,290 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $49,930 for the lowest 10% to $160,140 for the top 10%.
Full sociology professor pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a sociology professor
- Earn a sociology bachelor’s
- Do research
- Complete a Ph.D.
- Publish
- Get hired
A Ph.D. in sociology is typical for universities; community colleges often accept a master’s.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a sociology professor →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Social theory
- Survey research
- Qualitative methods
- Statistics
- Writing
People skills
- Facilitation
- Empathy
- Critical thinking
- Communication
All sociology professor skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Insightful, relevant subject
- Mix of methods
- Flexible schedule
- Community research
Cons
- Competitive job market
- Publication pressure
- Funding limits
- Sensitive topics
Certifications and licenses
- Ph.D. in sociology: Doctoral degree.
- IRB training: Research ethics.
- Teaching certificate: Optional.
- Research grants: NSF and foundations.
Career path
- Graduate Instructor: Train.
- Assistant Professor: Tenure track.
- Associate Professor: Tenure.
- Professor or Chair: Lead departments.
Learn the job before day one
Our Sociology Professor training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as teach the sociological imagination and design a student survey project, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Sociology Professor vs. Sociologist · Sociology Professor vs. Psychology Professor · Sociology Professor vs. Social Work Professor · Sociology Professor vs. Anthropology Professor
Sociology Professor FAQ
Do sociology professors need a Ph.D.?
Usually at universities.
What do sociologists research?
Inequality, family, work, health and more.
Do community colleges hire with a master’s?
Often, yes.
How much does a sociology professor make?
The median annual wage for sociology professors was $84,290 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $49,930 and the highest 10% earned more than $160,140.
How long does it take to become a sociology professor?
Most people need about 5–7 years after a bachelor’s of training. A Ph.D. in sociology is typical for universities; community colleges often accept a master’s.
Do you need a degree to be a sociology professor?
Usually. BLS lists a doctoral degree as typical for postsecondary teachers. Universities generally require a doctorate, while community colleges often hire instructors with a master’s degree and professional experience.
More sociology professor questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 25-1067 (Sociology teachers, postsecondary).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Sociology teachers, postsecondary (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.