Career comparison
Social Work 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. $77,570), while sociology professors usually get to work faster (5–7 years after a bachelor’s of training). Social work professors prepare future social workers and research social problems. 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
| Social Work Professor | Sociology Professor | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $77,570 | $84,290 |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $48,200 – $126,790 | $49,930 – $160,140 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +2.6% (about as fast as average) | +2.2% (slower than average) |
| Openings per year | 1,100 | 1,000 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Training time | 8+ years including practice | 5–7 years after a bachelor’s |
| Key credential | Ph.D. or DSW | Ph.D. in sociology |
| Work setting | Faculty work in classrooms, offices and community agencies.. | Faculty work in classrooms, offices and communities where they conduct research.. |
What each job does
Social Work Professor
- Teach social work courses
- Coordinate field placements
- Conduct research
- Partner with agencies
- Advise 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 helping others, working with people, working independently, and desk work. Both are part of the education & childcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose social work professor if…
- I’m a social worker who wants to teach
- I care about social justice
- I like research
Choose sociology professor if…
- I’m curious about society
- I like data and interviews
- I enjoy discussion
Still torn? Take the Social Work Professor fit quiz and the Sociology Professor fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, social work professor or sociology professor?
Sociology Professors earn more at the median: $84,290 versus $77,570 for social work 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 social work professors (8+ years including practice).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects social work professors to grow +2.6% from 2025–35, compared with +2.2% for sociology professors.