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Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary

Teaches college classes and studies a subject deeply.

Typical education to startDoctoral or professional degree
Job outlook2025–2035: +2%
Median pay$84,290 a year (2025)
Interest codeSI Social, Investigative

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Professors teach college students in one subject: history, biology, nursing, business, art, engineering, law, a trade, or almost anything else. At universities many also do research and write. At community colleges most of the job is teaching. Nursing, health and trade instructors often come from years of work in the field.

Open the college professor guide

The guide checks the courses against your plan, with things to try each year. Free account needed.

High school courses that build toward it

  • English 10 · English

    Builds reading and writing, which this job uses.

  • Sociology · Social Studies

    Builds how groups and cultures work, which this job uses.

  • Child Development · Career and Technical

    Builds teaching and training, which this job uses.

  • Physical Education · Health and PE

    Builds teaching and training, which this job uses.

  • Pre-Algebra · Math

    Builds math, which this job uses.

  • Computer Science Principles · Computer Science

    Builds computers and electronics, which this job uses.

Ranked by how much the job relies on what each course teaches, from O*NET's knowledge ratings. Your school's own courses and the counselor have the final word.

Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary on O*NET OnLine · O*NET 31.0 (U.S. Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0); BLS Employment Projections 2025.