Career comparison
Anthropology Professor vs. Sociology Professor
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Anthropology professors earn more at the median ($99,650 vs. $84,290), while sociology professors usually get to work faster (5–7 years after a bachelor’s of training). Anthropology professors teach how humans and cultures have developed across time and place. Sociology professors teach how societies, groups and institutions shape people’s lives.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Anthropology Professor | Sociology Professor | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $99,650 | $84,290 |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $57,840 – $171,310 | $49,930 – $160,140 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +2.6% (about as fast as average) | +2.2% (slower than average) |
| Openings per year | 400 | 1,000 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Training time | 6–8 years after a bachelor’s | 5–7 years after a bachelor’s |
| Key credential | Ph.D. in anthropology | Ph.D. in sociology |
| Work setting | Faculty work in classrooms, labs, museums and field sites around the world.. | Faculty work in classrooms, offices and communities where they conduct research.. |
What each job does
Anthropology Professor
- Teach anthropology courses
- Lead field schools
- Conduct fieldwork
- Analyze artifacts or interviews
- Mentor students
Sociology Professor
- Teach sociology courses
- Teach research methods
- Conduct surveys and interviews
- Analyze social data
- Publish research
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working independently, working with people, and high-pay. Both are part of the education & childcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose anthropology professor if…
- I’m fascinated by cultures
- I want to do fieldwork
- I enjoy teaching
Choose sociology professor if…
- I’m curious about society
- I like data and interviews
- I enjoy discussion
Still torn? Take the Anthropology Professor fit quiz and the Sociology Professor fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, anthropology professor or sociology professor?
Anthropology Professors earn more at the median: $99,650 versus $84,290 for sociology professors, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Sociology Professors typically train faster (5–7 years after a bachelor’s) than anthropology professors (6–8 years after a bachelor’s).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects anthropology professors to grow +2.6% from 2025–35, compared with +2.2% for sociology professors.