Teach courses in sociology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary
SOC: 25-1067 O*NET: 25-1067.00
Median Salary
$82,540
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 2.1%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
Teach courses in sociology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
What does a Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$49,330
10th percentile
Early Career
$64,130
25th percentile
Median
$82,540
50th percentile
Experienced
$113,000
75th percentile
Top Earners
$167,240
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$49,330
25th
$64,130
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$82,540
Mean: $97,270
75th
$113,000
90th
$167,240
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $117,910 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $64,130 and $113,000
- •Salary spread is 59.2% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 12,380 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:15,400
Top Industries
Educational Services32.6%
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools32.2%
Junior Colleges0.4%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+2.1%
Annual Openings:1,100
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)15,400
Current
2034 (Projected)15,700
+2.1%
+300
Employment Change
+2.1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 47 locations
New York
1,280 jobs$98,3301.67x
Texas
1,120 jobs$82,9201.01x
California
880 jobs$129,7600.61x
Massachusetts
730 jobs$98,1002.49x
Pennsylvania
550 jobs$82,7101.15x
North Carolina
540 jobs$75,0301.37x
Illinois
490 jobs$79,9101.01x
Indiana
490 jobs$79,7101.91x
Ohio
460 jobs$75,7201.03x
New Jersey
440 jobs$97,7901.30x
Virginia
440 jobs$74,2001.36x
Michigan
410 jobs$98,9201.15x
Wisconsin
350 jobs$94,8001.49x
Maryland
300 jobs$83,1301.36x
Minnesota
240 jobs$85,0601.01x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Speaking
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Writing
86%
#4
Learning Strategies
80%
#5
Reading Comprehension
74%
#6
Instructing
66%
#7
Monitoring
60%
#8
Critical Thinking
54%
#9
Active Learning
46%
#10
Social Perceptiveness
40%
Skills Overview
Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Writing
intermediate4.3
86%
Learning Strategies
intermediate4.0
80%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.7
74%
Instructing
intermediate3.3
66%
Monitoring
intermediate3.0
60%
Critical Thinking
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Speaking
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Learning Strategies
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Instructing
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors100%
5 shared skills
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School100%
5 shared skills
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary100%
5 shared skills
Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary100%
5 shared skills
Self-Enrichment Teachers100%
5 shared skills
Special Education Teachers, Preschool100%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Writing
- ✓Learning Strategies
Learn on the Job:
- →Instructing
- →Monitoring
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Writing
- ✓Learning Strategies
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Active Listening
- ★Writing
- ★Learning Strategies
- ★Reading Comprehension
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
IBM SPSS Statistics
🔥 Hot TechSAS
🔥 Hot TechThe MathWorks MATLAB
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechR
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechGoogle Docs
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
IBM SPSS Statistics
SAS
The MathWorks MATLAB
Microsoft Outlook
R
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Google Docs
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Analysis & Evaluation (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (4)General Responsibilities (10)Planning & Development (2)Communication & Coordination (1)Management & Supervision (2)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation100% perform100%
2
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform98%
3
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform92%
6
Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development85% perform90%
7
Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development76% perform84%
10
Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on analysis & evaluation activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary professionals typically have a SIA Holland code and highly value achievement
SSocial
IInvestigative
AArtistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.70
Analytical Thinking
CriticalAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.69
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.66
Achievement/Effort
CriticalAchievement/Effort
Importance Level4.54
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.54
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.43
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.7
Analytical Thinking
4.7
Dependability
4.7
Achievement/Effort
4.5
Self-Control
4.5
Independence
4.4
Attention to Detail
4.4
Persistence
4.3
Initiative
4.3
Stress Tolerance
4.2
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Training:
Extensive training and work experience required
💼 Experience Requirement
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Master's or doctoral degree
- • Extensive work experience in the field
- • State licensure or professional certification
5
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification
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