Career comparison
Psychology Professor vs. Sociology Professor
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Sociology professors earn more at the median ($84,290 vs. $80,340), while psychology professors usually get to work faster (5–7 years after a bachelor’s of training). Psychology professors teach how people think, feel and behave, and research the mind. 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
| Psychology Professor | Sociology Professor | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $80,340 | $84,290 |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $49,050 – $153,600 | $49,930 – $160,140 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +4.0% (about as fast as average) | +2.2% (slower than average) |
| Openings per year | 3,700 | 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 psychology | Ph.D. in sociology |
| Work setting | Faculty work in classrooms, research labs and offices.. | Faculty work in classrooms, offices and communities where they conduct research.. |
What each job does
Psychology Professor
- Teach psychology courses
- Teach research methods and statistics
- Run a research lab
- Supervise student researchers
- Conduct studies
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 with information, working independently, and helping others. Both are part of the education & childcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose psychology professor if…
- I love psychology
- I enjoy research
- I like mentoring
Choose sociology professor if…
- I’m curious about society
- I like data and interviews
- I enjoy discussion
Still torn? Take the Psychology Professor fit quiz and the Sociology Professor fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, psychology professor or sociology professor?
Sociology Professors earn more at the median: $84,290 versus $80,340 for psychology professors, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Psychology 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 psychology professors to grow +4.0% from 2025–35, compared with +2.2% for sociology professors.