Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
The median sociology teachers, postsecondary salary in the United States is $84,290 per year. Salaries range from $49,930 at the entry level to $160,140+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 11,850 sociology teachers, postsecondary jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 2.1% through 2034.
Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Median Salary
$84,290
per year
Employment
11,850
jobs in the U.S.
Salary Distribution
10th percentile
$49,930
25th percentile
$64,990
Median
$84,290
75th percentile
$110,650
90th percentile
$160,140
Job Growth (2024-2034)
+2.1%
As fast as average
Annual Openings
1,100
jobs/year (growth + replacements)
Education Required
Doctoral or professional degree
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary Salary by State
Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →Salary Map — Click a state for details
$61K$128K■ No data
Top Paying States
California
$128K
+51%
Delaware
$124K
+47%
New Hampshire
$113K
+34%
District of Columbia
$103K
+22%
Michigan
$103K
+22%
Oregon
$102K
+21%
Connecticut
$101K
+20%
Pennsylvania
$100K
+18%
Utah
$99K
+18%
New York
$98K
+16%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
| State | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $127,680 | +51.5% |
| Delaware | $123,710 | +46.8% |
| New Hampshire | $112,890 | +33.9% |
| District of Columbia | $103,160 | +22.4% |
| Michigan | $102,870 | +22.0% |
| Oregon | $101,960 | +21.0% |
| Connecticut | $101,490 | +20.4% |
| Pennsylvania | $99,660 | +18.2% |
| Utah | $99,350 | +17.9% |
| New York | $97,540 | +15.7% |
Showing 1–10 of 46
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $157,630 | +87.0% |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $141,950 | +68.4% |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $132,930 | +57.7% |
| Madison, WI | $132,640 | +57.4% |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $128,010 | +51.9% |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $127,480 | +51.2% |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $120,570 | +43.0% |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | $114,030 | +35.3% |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $111,290 | +32.0% |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $104,090 | +23.5% |
Showing 1–10 of 67
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
How does this compare to pro athletes?
A sociology teachers, postsecondary earning $84,290/year would need 707 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 759 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
See all sports & celebrity salaries →📈 See how sociology teachers, postsecondary salaries have changed over the past decade.
View Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary salary trend (2011–2024) →