Sociology Teacher Salary in 2026
How Much Do Sociology Teachers Make?
Sociology Teachers earn a median annual salary of $82,540 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $49,330 at the 10th percentile to $167,240 at the 90th percentile — a range of $117,910. The highest-paying state is California at $129,760.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $49,330 |
| 25th percentile | $64,130 |
| Median (50th) | $82,540 |
| 75th percentile | $113,000 |
| 90th percentile | $167,240 |
Sociology Teacher Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $129,760 |
| New Hampshire | $109,850 |
| Arizona | $106,460 |
| Michigan | $98,920 |
| District of Columbia | $98,680 |
| New York | $98,330 |
| Massachusetts | $98,100 |
| New Jersey | $97,790 |
| Wisconsin | $94,800 |
| Connecticut | $93,870 |
| Utah | $86,810 |
| Florida | $85,230 |
| Minnesota | $85,060 |
| Louisiana | $84,360 |
| Nevada | $83,940 |
| Oregon | $83,840 |
| Maryland | $83,130 |
| Texas | $82,920 |
| Pennsylvania | $82,710 |
| Georgia | $82,250 |
| Colorado | $81,670 |
| Delaware | $81,000 |
| Illinois | $79,910 |
| West Virginia | $79,770 |
| Indiana | $79,710 |
| Nebraska | $79,660 |
| Washington | $79,500 |
| Alaska | $78,220 |
| Kansas | $78,000 |
| Missouri | $77,890 |
| Iowa | $76,770 |
| Ohio | $75,720 |
| North Carolina | $75,030 |
| New Mexico | $74,600 |
| Montana | $74,570 |
| Virginia | $74,200 |
| South Carolina | $73,560 |
| Idaho | $73,120 |
| Arkansas | $71,400 |
| Vermont | $69,710 |
| Tennessee | $68,510 |
| Mississippi | $67,590 |
| Maine | $66,060 |
| Kentucky | $64,580 |
| Oklahoma | $62,280 |
| South Dakota | $61,670 |
| Alabama | $60,840 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Sociology Teachers
Sociology Teacher Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$49,330 – $64,130 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$82,540 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$113,000 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $167,240+ |
How to Earn More as a Sociology Teacher
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Sociology Teachers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA earn $136,120 — $53,580 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($113,000) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Sociology Teacher Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Sociology Teacherthis career | $82,540 |
| Sociologist | $101,690 |
| Anthropology and Archeology Teacher | $95,770 |
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teacher | $84,290 |
| Economics Teacher | $119,980 |
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SOC: 25-1067.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.