How To Become A Social Science Instructor: What It Is and Career Path

What is a social science instructor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

David McMahan Ph.D.

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a social science instructor. For example, did you know that they make an average of $16.07 an hour? That's $33,424 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 5% and produce 48,700 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a social science instructor?

David McMahan Ph.D.

Charles A. Dana Professor of Religious Studies, Franklin and Marshall College

Keep open to possibilities beyond the narrow range of what your diploma lists as your major or minor. Whatever job you get trained for today, in 10-20 years, it may be very different. Or it may not exist. Focus on obtaining and maintaining flexibility, critical thinking, creativity, and passion for learning. Being an interesting person is as vital as any credential.

ScoreSocial Science InstructorUS Average

Salary

2.6

Avg. Salary $33,424

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.4

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.45%

Asian 3.55%

Black or African American 7.82%

Hispanic or Latino 11.42%

Unknown 3.96%

White 72.80%

Gender

female 44.72%

male 55.28%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

8.4

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.9

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a social science instructor

Explore social science instructor education requirements

Most common social science instructor degrees

Bachelor's

57.6 %

Master's

30.5 %

Doctorate

7.6 %

Start to develop specific social science instructor skills

Skills	Percentages
Sociology	19.43%
Student Learning	16.04%
Economics	14.38%
Political Science	9.96%
Course Curriculum	9.37%

Complete relevant social science instructor training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New social science instructors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a social science instructor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real social science instructor resumes.

Research social science instructor duties and responsibilities

Lead classroom students in learning concepts in sociology, computer science, business, and professional development courses.
Develop and continue to manage a collaborative after-school tutoring program for middle school mathematics students.
Develop a curriculum and instruct 7th grade students in academic areas including history, American government, geography and political science.
Integrate technology into curriculum, supplementing class lectures and activities, and developing student research skills.

Prepare your social science instructor resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your social science instructor resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a social science instructor resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable social science instructor resume templates

Build a professional social science instructor resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your social science instructor resume.