Career comparison
Cultural Studies Professor vs. Sociology Professor
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Cultural studies professors earn more at the median ($85,020 vs. $84,290), while sociology professors usually get to work faster (5–7 years after a bachelor’s of training). Cultural studies professors teach the history, culture and politics of regions and communities. 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
| Cultural Studies Professor | Sociology Professor | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $85,020 | $84,290 |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $52,070 – $160,420 | $49,930 – $160,140 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +2.7% (about as fast as average) | +2.2% (slower than average) |
| Openings per year | 1,000 | 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. | Ph.D. in sociology |
| Work setting | Faculty work in classrooms, offices, archives and communities.. | Faculty work in classrooms, offices and communities where they conduct research.. |
What each job does
Cultural Studies Professor
- Teach interdisciplinary courses
- Develop curricula
- Mentor students
- Conduct research
- Publish articles and books
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 with people, working independently, helping others, and desk work. Both are part of the education & childcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose cultural studies professor if…
- I care about culture and identity
- I enjoy discussion
- I like research and writing
Choose sociology professor if…
- I’m curious about society
- I like data and interviews
- I enjoy discussion
Still torn? Take the Cultural Studies Professor fit quiz and the Sociology Professor fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, cultural studies professor or sociology professor?
Cultural Studies Professors earn more at the median: $85,020 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 cultural studies professors (6–8 years after a bachelor’s).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects cultural studies professors to grow +2.7% from 2025–35, compared with +2.2% for sociology professors.