Sociology Faculty Jobs: Tenure-Track Positions & Lecturer Roles

Explore academic career paths in Sociology within Social Science. Opportunities range from teaching positions at universities to research roles in think tanks and government agencies. Key institutions include top universities and specialized research centers.

Unlock Your Future in Sociology: Thriving Careers Await!

Sociology faculty jobs provide an intellectual playground for dissecting social dynamics, inequality, and cultural shifts. Aspiring academics can land tenure-track assistant professor roles at leading universities, while adjunct and lecturer positions offer flexible entry points. Explore thousands of live listings on AcademicJobs.com higher ed jobs, tailored for PhD holders passionate about research and teaching.

Students eyeing sociology majors gain tools to analyze everything from urban gentrification to digital communities. Rate sociology professors on Rate My Professor to select standout departments, and chart paths from BA to faculty roles via grad programs. Career trajectories extend to policy analysis, NGOs, and corporate consulting, but academia shines for impact—think influencing social policy through empirical studies.

For seasoned sociologists, professor jobs emphasize prestige and stability. Demand surges for specialists in computational sociology and climate migration, with quirky niches like studying meme culture's role in activism. Check professor salaries for expected earnings by rank and region. Parents and job seekers, find higher ed career advice to navigate this vibrant field. Search Sociology Faculty Jobs Now

Why Study Sociology? Key Topics and Student Paths

Sociology degrees demystify social phenomena, from family structures to global inequality. Core courses cover theory (Durkheim, Weber) and methods like ethnography. Fringe quirk: Pioneering studies like Erving Goffman's elevator experiments revealed unspoken social rules, still taught today. Students at top programs like UC Berkeley or Harvard Sociology rate faculty highly on Rate My Professor.

BA holders enter market research; MA for applied roles; PhD unlocks faculty jobs. Career paths: 20% pursue academia per NSF data, others in government (e.g., Census Bureau) or tech (user behavior analysis). Projected growth: 5% for sociologists through 2032 (BLS), with 300 annual openings. Link grad school success to SAT scores for undergrad entry.

Faculty Opportunities in Sociology

Tenure-track sociology positions dominate at R1 universities, focusing on research output. Adjunct roles suit postdocs building CVs—see adjunct professor jobs. Lecturer gigs emphasize teaching, ideal for lecturer jobs. Trends: Boom in environmental sociology amid climate crises; unique anecdote, Antarctic station sociologists study isolation dynamics (NSF-funded).

Hotspots include California (UC system), New York (Columbia), and Massachusetts (Harvard). International: UK university jobs. Rate potential colleagues on Rate My Professor before applying. Use recruitment services for hidden postings.

Sociology Professor Salaries and Earnings Trends

Average sociology postsecondary teacher salary: $92,500 (BLS 2023), varying by rank. Full professors top $130,000 in high-cost areas. Prestige boosts pay at Ivy League—view Ivy League schools. Explore full data on professor salaries.

Role Median Salary (US, 2023) Top States
Assistant Professor $85,000–$100,000 CA, NJ
Associate Professor $100,000–$115,000 DC, MA
Full Professor $120,000–$170,000+ CA, NY

Source: BLS. Fringe: Remote sociology roles grew 15% post-COVID, blending with remote higher ed jobs. Get resume help via free resume template.

Top Sociology Programs and Prestige

Elite departments: Stanford, Princeton, per university rankings. Quirky fact: Stanford Prison Experiment (1971) sparked ethics debates, shaping modern research. Rate courses on Rate My Course. Job seekers, target Ivy League guide for prestige.

Find Sociology Jobs Today

Associations for Sociology

Frequently Asked Questions

💰What is the average salary for a sociology professor?

Assistant professors earn $85,000–$100,000, associates $100,000+, full professors $120,000–$170,000 (BLS 2023). See location breakdowns on professor salaries. Top earners in California exceed $180,000.

🎓How do I become a sociology professor?

Earn a PhD in Sociology, publish research, and gain teaching experience. Start with research assistant jobs or postdocs via postdoc positions. Rate programs on Rate My Professor.

📈What is the job outlook for sociology faculty?

5% growth through 2032 (BLS), with demand in data-driven and social justice areas. Check faculty jobs and career advice for trends.

🔬What are unique quirks in sociology research?

Fringe topics include meme sociology and Antarctic group dynamics. Classic: Goffman's elevator study on civil inattention. Explore via Google Scholar or top depts.

🏙️Best cities for sociology faculty jobs?

California (UCs), New York (Columbia), Boston (Harvard). Browse California jobs, New York. Rate local profs on Rate My Professor.

⚖️Tenure-track vs. adjunct in sociology?

Tenure-track offers stability/research focus; adjuncts flexible but lower pay (~$3k/course). See adjunct jobs and salaries.

🏆Top sociology programs for students?

Berkeley, Harvard, Stanford per NSF. Check rankings and rate on Rate My Professor. Ivy League guide: Ivy League.

🌍Sociology jobs outside the US?

Strong in UK (AC UK jobs), Canada, Australia. Trends mirror US growth in inequality studies.
521 Jobs Found
View More