Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary salary in Tennessee
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary in Tennessee earn a median of $77,370 a year, based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,820 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $84,290. Tennessee ranks 35th of 46 states for sociology teachers, postsecondary pay. There are 0.06 sociology teachers, postsecondary per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $81,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sociology teachers, postsecondary in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,030 |
| 25th percentile | $61,510 |
| Median | $77,370 |
| 75th percentile | $101,200 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $122,820 |
| Average (mean) | $81,160 |
Half of sociology teachers, postsecondary earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,447.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,223.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,975.77 |
| Weekly | $1,487.88 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because sociology teachers, postsecondary are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $85,070 | 50 |
| Knoxville, TN | $83,050 | 50 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $79,330 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for sociology teachers, postsecondary
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $127,680 |
| Delaware | $123,710 |
| New Hampshire | $112,890 |
| District of Columbia | $103,160 |
| Michigan | $102,870 |
| Oregon | $101,960 |
| Connecticut | $101,490 |
| Pennsylvania | $99,660 |
| Utah | $99,350 |
| New York | $97,540 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-1067. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a sociology teachers, postsecondary make in Tennessee?
The median salary for sociology teachers, postsecondary in Tennessee is $77,370 a year. Pay ranges from $50,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sociology teachers, postsecondary make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of sociology teachers, postsecondary in Tennessee earn at least $122,820 a year. The top 25% earn $101,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for sociology teachers, postsecondary in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,030 a year, and a quarter of sociology teachers, postsecondary earn $61,510 or less.
How many sociology teachers, postsecondary work in Tennessee?
About 190 sociology teachers, postsecondary are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.