Sociology Teachers Salary by State
The national median pay for sociology teachers is $84,290 a year. By state, it ranges from $61,260 in Kentucky to $127,680 in California.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $49,930
- 25th percentile
- $64,990
- Median
- $84,290
- 75th percentile
- $110,650
- Top 10%
- $160,140
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 11,850 jobs.
Median pay in 45 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $127,680 | +51% | $71,710 | $233,850 | 810 |
| 2 | Delaware | $123,710 | +47% | $59,090 | $216,680 | Not published |
| 3 | New Hampshire | $112,890 | +34% | $80,450 | $167,700 | 40 |
| 4 | District of Columbia | $103,160 | +22% | $66,410 | $224,340 | 70 |
| 5 | Michigan | $102,870 | +22% | $54,660 | $174,740 | 370 |
| 6 | Oregon | $101,960 | +21% | $67,710 | $147,770 | 150 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $101,490 | +20% | $67,800 | $201,880 | 320 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | $99,660 | +18% | $48,420 | $132,230 | 440 |
| 9 | Utah | $99,350 | +18% | $65,630 | $131,770 | 70 |
| 10 | New York | $97,540 | +16% | $61,360 | $203,820 | 1,130 |
| 11 | Massachusetts | $96,790 | +15% | $61,200 | $195,940 | 580 |
| 12 | Maryland | $95,980 | +14% | $54,180 | $172,980 | 200 |
| 13 | Vermont | $87,620 | +4% | $36,270 | $123,950 | 40 |
| 14 | Nevada | $87,480 | +4% | $66,720 | $103,870 | 100 |
| 15 | Minnesota | $87,340 | +4% | $62,470 | $131,700 | 240 |
| 16 | Wisconsin | $84,960 | +1% | $62,220 | $176,150 | 450 |
| 17 | Georgia | $84,330 | 0% | $54,230 | $162,850 | 230 |
| 18 | Idaho | $84,140 | 0% | $71,200 | $127,980 | 50 |
| 19 | Louisiana | $83,700 | −1% | $56,790 | $124,130 | 80 |
| 20 | Washington | $83,140 | −1% | $55,610 | $119,310 | 200 |
| 21 | Illinois | $82,610 | −2% | $52,260 | $131,440 | 440 |
| 22 | Iowa | $81,910 | −3% | $49,460 | $150,230 | 140 |
| 23 | Texas | $81,220 | −4% | $47,130 | $133,610 | 1,040 |
| 24 | Indiana | $79,880 | −5% | $52,680 | $145,190 | 290 |
| 25 | Ohio | $79,690 | −5% | $46,530 | $123,980 | 550 |
| 26 | Colorado | $78,630 | −7% | $41,400 | $139,920 | 220 |
| 27 | Kansas | $78,630 | −7% | $41,950 | $171,420 | 110 |
| 28 | Arizona | $78,430 | −7% | $54,080 | $147,830 | 230 |
| 29 | South Carolina | $78,410 | −7% | $41,440 | $109,170 | 120 |
| 30 | New Jersey | $78,350 | −7% | $32,220 | $156,300 | 550 |
| 31 | Virginia | $78,120 | −7% | $44,980 | $127,460 | 400 |
| 32 | Missouri | $77,800 | −8% | $45,530 | $169,070 | 100 |
| 33 | New Mexico | $77,740 | −8% | $58,390 | $126,680 | 50 |
| 34 | West Virginia | $77,380 | −8% | $52,890 | $132,810 | 60 |
| 35 | Tennessee | $77,370 | −8% | $50,030 | $122,820 | 190 |
| 36 | North Carolina | $76,430 | −9% | $45,470 | $109,850 | 550 |
| 37 | Nebraska | $76,230 | −10% | $57,690 | $95,200 | 70 |
| 38 | Maine | $76,010 | −10% | $61,700 | $137,320 | 80 |
| 39 | Montana | $75,880 | −10% | $25,560 | $125,390 | 30 |
| 40 | Alabama | $73,670 | −13% | $48,480 | $104,780 | 210 |
| 41 | Mississippi | $70,860 | −16% | $30,250 | $100,600 | 90 |
| 42 | Oklahoma | $64,900 | −23% | $30,710 | $88,710 | 120 |
| 43 | South Dakota | $64,210 | −24% | $50,750 | $91,260 | 40 |
| 44 | Florida | $63,470 | −25% | $52,950 | $100,900 | 230 |
| 45 | Arkansas | $62,390 | −26% | $46,630 | $125,310 | 30 |
| 46 | Kentucky | $61,260 | −27% | $35,590 | $136,960 | 150 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Sociology Teachers salary questions
Which state pays sociology teachers the most?
California, with a median of $127,680 a year (+51% vs. the national median of $84,290). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays sociology teachers the least?
Kentucky, with a median of $61,260 a year (−27% vs. national).
Where do most sociology teachers work?
New York has the most jobs, about 1,130, with a median of $97,540.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.