How much does a sociology teacher make?
The median sociology teacher in the United States earns $82,540 per year. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all sociology teachers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 25-1067.
Sociology teacher salary range
Pay for sociology teachers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $49,330 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $167,240. The average (mean) wage of $97,270 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $49,330 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $64,130 | |
| Median (50th) | $82,540 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $113,000 | |
| 90th percentile | $167,240 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for sociology teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1067), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Sociology teacher salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Sociology teachers earn the most in California at $129,760 a year, and the least in Alabama at $60,840. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $129,760 | 880 |
| New Hampshire | $109,850 | 50 |
| Arizona | $106,460 | 120 |
| Michigan | $98,920 | 410 |
| District of Columbia | $98,680 | 70 |
| New York | $98,330 | 1,280 |
| Massachusetts | $98,100 | 730 |
| New Jersey | $97,790 | 440 |
| Wisconsin | $94,800 | 350 |
| Connecticut | $93,870 | 210 |
| Utah | $86,810 | 80 |
| Florida | $85,230 | 130 |
| Minnesota | $85,060 | 240 |
| Louisiana | $84,360 | 80 |
| Nevada | $83,940 | 110 |
| Oregon | $83,840 | 110 |
| Maryland | $83,130 | 300 |
| Texas | $82,920 | 1,120 |
| Pennsylvania | $82,710 | 550 |
| Georgia | $82,250 | 240 |
| Colorado | $81,670 | 200 |
| Delaware | $81,000 | N/A |
| Illinois | $79,910 | 490 |
| West Virginia | $79,770 | 60 |
| Indiana | $79,710 | 490 |
| Nebraska | $79,660 | 110 |
| Washington | $79,500 | 220 |
| Alaska | $78,220 | N/A |
| Kansas | $78,000 | 110 |
| Missouri | $77,890 | 110 |
| Iowa | $76,770 | 140 |
| Ohio | $75,720 | 460 |
| North Carolina | $75,030 | 540 |
| New Mexico | $74,600 | 50 |
| Montana | $74,570 | 40 |
| Virginia | $74,200 | 440 |
| South Carolina | $73,560 | 180 |
| Idaho | $73,120 | 60 |
| Arkansas | $71,400 | 100 |
| Vermont | $69,710 | 50 |
| Tennessee | $68,510 | 240 |
| Mississippi | $67,590 | 100 |
| Maine | $66,060 | 80 |
| Kentucky | $64,580 | 140 |
| Oklahoma | $62,280 | 110 |
| South Dakota | $61,670 | 50 |
| Alabama | $60,840 | 160 |
State median wages for sociology teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1067), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for sociology teachers
The BLS projects employment of sociology teachers to grow 2.2% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 14,600 jobs in 2025 moving toward 15,000 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,000 openings a year for sociology teachers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a sociology teacher
The typical entry-level education for sociology teachers is a doctoral or professional degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a sociology teacher earns
District budget, level taught, degree, and region drive pay, along with years of service on a step-and-lane salary schedule. High cost metros and senior educators land near the top.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $129,760) and the lowest (Alabama, $60,840) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 12,380 people work as sociology teachers in the United States. At $82,540 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Sociology teacher salary FAQ
How much does a sociology teacher make an hour?
Sociology teachers are generally salaried rather than paid by the hour, so the BLS does not publish an hourly wage for this job. The median annual salary is $82,540.
What is the highest sociology teacher salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of sociology teachers earn more than $167,240 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a sociology teacher make a year?
The median annual salary for a sociology teacher is $82,540. The average (mean) wage of $97,270 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a sociology teacher a well paid job?
At $82,540 a year, a sociology teacher earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 12,380 people work as sociology teachers in the United States.
Which state pays sociology teachers the most?
California has the highest median salary for sociology teachers at $129,760 a year. New Hampshire ($109,850) and Arizona ($106,460) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a sociology teacher a good career?
Employment of sociology teachers is projected to grow 2.2% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a sociology teacher?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for sociology teachers as a doctoral or professional degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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