Sociology lecturer

About this occupation

Sociology lecturers are subject professors, teachers, or lecturers who instruct students who have obtained an upper secondary education diploma in their own specialised field of study, sociology, which is predominantly academic in nature. They work with their university research assistants and university teaching assistants for the preparation of lectures and of exams, grading papers and exams and leading review and feedback sessions for the students. They also conduct academic research in their field of sociology, publish their findings and liaise with other university colleagues.

A specialisation of higher education lecturer.

• Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
• Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
• Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
• 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.
• Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
• Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.

Typical education (US)

Doctoral Degree

Preparation

Job Zone 5 of 5

Interests

Social, Investigative, Artistic

Top skills: Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing, Learning Strategies, Instructing

US median pay: US$84,290 a year (2025), 11,850 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Subjects this work relies on

How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).

• English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageExtremely important (4.9)
• SociologyO*NET: Sociology and AnthropologyExtremely important (4.7)
• Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (3.9)
• HistoryO*NET: History and ArcheologyVery important (3.9)
• PsychologyO*NET: PsychologyVery important (3.8)
• Divinity or PhilosophyO*NET: Philosophy and TheologyImportant (3.5)
• Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentImportant (3.5)
• Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.5)

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

Preparation needed

Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

Most common education (US)

Doctoral Degree

Education

Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Experience

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Training

Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.