Middle School Teacher
Median wage · national
$64,370
Range: $59K – $80K
Employed
620K
Openings/yr
41K
Typically: bachelor's degree
Sociology Teachers
Sociology Teachers earn $84,290 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $64,990 and $110,650. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Sociology Teachers
Teach courses in sociology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
- Median Wage
- $84,290
- Employed Nationally
- 12K
- Openings / Year
- 1,100
- Entry Education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 5: Extensive Preparation
Also known as:
Adjunct Instructor
Adjunct Professor
Assistant Professor
Associate Professor
College Faculty Member
How Much Do Sociology Teachers Make?
Sociology Teachers earn $84,290 nationally, above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $64,990 and $110,650. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$84,290
National Median (Annual)
Above the national median for college graduates.
$65K–$111K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$64,990
Entry-level
$84,290
Median
$110,650
Experienced
The mean wage for this occupation is $96,980, above the median. A concentration of very high earners pulls the average up. The median is the better gauge of typical pay.
What Do Sociology Teachers Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Sociology Teachers roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as race and ethnic relations, measurement and data collection, and workplace social relations.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Speaking
Learning Strategies
Instructing
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Who Thrives Here
S
Social
Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.
I
Investigative
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
A
Artistic
Creative and original thinking matters in this field, where fresh approaches, design sensibility, or expressive work drives real outcomes.
Where Do Sociology Teachers Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Sociology Teachers?
The BLS projects +2.1% employment change for Sociology Teachers through 2034, below the national average of +5%. About 1,100 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +2.1%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
Slower than average.
1,100
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
12K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Sociology Teachers professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $84,290 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | 1,280 | $98,330 | +16.7% |
| 2 | Texas | 1,120 | $82,920 | -1.6% |
| 3 | California | 880 | $129,760 | +53.9% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 730 | $98,100 | +16.4% |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 550 | $82,710 | -1.9% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Sociology Teachers positions require a doctoral or professional degree to qualify. The 4 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Job Zone
Zone 5: Extensive Preparation
Extensive education (usually a master's or doctoral degree) plus years of field experience is required to qualify for most positions.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sociology | 33,194 | $52,657 | 1,159 |
| 2 | Social Sciences | 17,458 | $53,366 | 529 |
| 3 | Sociology and Anthropology | 552 | $46,959 | 61 |
| 4 | Demography | 81 | — | 21 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Sociology Teachers
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States Air Force Academy USAF Academy, CO | 96 | — | — |
| 2 | United States Military Academy West Point, NY | 96 | — | — |
| 3 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ | 94 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
| 4 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY | 93 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
| 5 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
| 6 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | 93 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Sociology Teachers, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Sociology Teachers pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Sociology Teachers Pros & Cons
The data on Sociology Teachers shows 2 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
PROS
- Above-average pay At $84,290 median annually, this career pays meaningfully more than most college-graduate roles. Financial return on education is typically strong.
- High earning ceiling Top earners (75th percentile) reach $110,650 annually. Strong performers, specialists, and those in high-cost markets have significant upside beyond the median.
CONS
- Slow job growth At +2.1% projected growth, this career lags the national average. Limited expansion means stiffer competition for openings that do appear.
- High education requirement Most employers require a doctoral or professional degree, typically 6 to 10+ years of higher education before earning full wages. Factor tuition costs into your ROI calculation.
Sociology Teachers Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Sociology Teachers professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Sociology Teachers is $84,290, above the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $64,990 and $110,650. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Sociology Teachers a good career?
Yes, for the right person, but the commitment is significant. The $84,290 median wage reflects years of training most workers invest, and the path to a first career-level role typically spans 8 to 12 or more years. Research salary outcomes at specific programs, not just the national median, before committing to a graduate path.
How long does it take to become a Sociology Teachers?
Plan on 8 to 12 or more years of combined education and supervised training before qualifying for career-level roles. A doctoral or professional degree is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like Sociology are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $84,290 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
Is a doctoral or professional degree worth it to become a Sociology Teachers?
For in-state public programs, generally yes. The margin tightens significantly at private schools with heavy debt loads. A $84,290 median may take 15 to 20 years to recover at high-cost programs. School choice (specifically tuition cost and your expected local job market) matters as much as the credential itself.
What is the job outlook for Sociology Teachers?
The BLS projects +2.1% employment change for Sociology Teachers through 2034, slower than average compared to all occupations. About 1,100 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 12K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
What skills do Sociology Teachers professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Sociology Teachers roles: Speaking, Learning Strategies, Instructing, Reading Comprehension, and Active Listening. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
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- Median wage
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- Master's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Median wage
- Graduate school
- Career outcomes
-
Growing and Paying $80K Plus: The Careers That Do Both
Only 95 of 385 federal careers both pay a median above $80,000 and grow faster than the typical job. Here is the rare set that clears both bars.
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- Median wage
- High-paying careers
- Job outlook
- Career change
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