Career comparison
Political Science Professor vs. Sociology Professor
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Political science professors earn more at the median ($98,070 vs. $84,290), while political science professors usually get to work faster (5–7 years after a bachelor’s of training). Political science professors teach how governments, elections and policy work. 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
| Political Science Professor | Sociology Professor | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $98,070 | $84,290 |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $56,450 – $174,660 | $49,930 – $160,140 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +2.5% (about as fast as average) | +2.2% (slower than average) |
| Openings per year | 1,500 | 1,000 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Training time | 5–7 years after a bachelor’s | 5–7 years after a bachelor’s |
| Key credential | Ph.D. in political science | Ph.D. in sociology |
| Work setting | Faculty work in classrooms and offices at colleges and universities.. | Faculty work in classrooms, offices and communities where they conduct research.. |
What each job does
Political Science Professor
- Teach government and politics courses
- Conduct research
- Analyze data on elections and policy
- Publish research
- 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 with people, working independently, desk work, and working with information. Both are part of the education & childcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose political science professor if…
- I love politics and policy
- I can stay neutral in class
- I enjoy teaching
Choose sociology professor if…
- I’m curious about society
- I like data and interviews
- I enjoy discussion
Still torn? Take the Political Science Professor fit quiz and the Sociology Professor fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, political science professor or sociology professor?
Political Science Professors earn more at the median: $98,070 versus $84,290 for sociology professors, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Political Science Professors typically train faster (5–7 years after a bachelor’s) than sociology professors (5–7 years after a bachelor’s).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects political science professors to grow +2.5% from 2025–35, compared with +2.2% for sociology professors.