How Much Do College Professors Make?

Written By: Liz Heintz

Published: 7/19/2022

Becoming a college professor is one of several teaching jobs to consider when deciding how to apply your field expertise and education to a career teaching students. Postsecondary teaching requires a blend of real-world experience in your field of study and classroom management and curriculum delivery skills that you may acquire through a teaching degree. As a result, full-time college professors tend to be some of the highest-paid teachers, with many tenured-track professors earning an annual salary over $100,000.

What Is the Average Salary of a College Professor?

The median annual salary of a college or university professor is $79,640 , according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, a college professor's salary will vary by geographical location, institution, the field of degree, degree level, and academic rank. For example, a law professor who must hold a Juris Doctor (JD) degree to teach graduate-level students can earn significantly more per year than a music teacher teaching at the undergraduate level. If the law professor lives in Massachusetts, they may make more than a colleague working in Arizona.

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A college professor's salary will vary by geographical location, institution, the field of degree, degree level, and academic rank.

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Professors holding a master's degree may be able to instruct at community colleges. However, most four-year institutions require a PhD or other doctoral degree. These professors may also make more money than those with only a master's degree.

Academic ranks include early-career assistant professors, mid-career associate professors, and senior-level professors on a tenure track. The BLS provides data to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), which has determined the following average salaries by rank at public and private universities as of the 2020-21 academic year:

It's important to recognize that part-time professors — commonly referred to as adjunct professors — make significantly less than faculty instructors. They get paid by the course and often work at more than one school to make ends meet. An adjunct professor is also not eligible for the healthcare benefits and retirement packages a full-time, tenured professor may receive.

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A 2020 American Federation of Teachers report found that nearly 25% of adjunct professors rely on public assistance, and almost 40% find it challenging to cover household expenses.

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Average Professor Salary by Type of Institution

The type of school where professors teach can also influence the wages they earn. For example, the NCES found that those teaching at private, nonprofit schools often make more than their public institution counterparts. On the other hand, those working at two-year and community colleges tend to earn the least of all professors.

There does not seem to be a distinction between the pay online professors receive versus those teaching on-campus. Professors have adapted to delivering instruction by both methods, with the COVID-19 pandemic requiring schools to transition to 100% online learning. However, salaries may vary from school to school.

Additionally, professors teaching at a higher degree level earn more than others:

Average Professor Salary by Subject

Professor wages vary based on the subject they teach. In general, the average pay is between roughly $64,000 and $123,000 per year. Education professors are at the low end of the salary range, typically earning less than $65,000 a year. The highest-paid are those who teach law; their expertise can net an annual salary of over $120,000.

Highest Paying States for College Professors

Several states across the U.S. pay their postsecondary faculty higher than other states. According to the latest data from the NCES, college professors in the District of Columbia make the most at an average of $115,372 across all subject areas and institution levels. Doctoral-level professors at public universities in Washington D.C. earn even more at $143,504.

The next top-earning states for college professors across all subjects and institution levels include:

Job Outlook for College Professors

In general, the job growth for college professors is faster than average at 12% through 2030. The job outlook is the lowest for agricultural science professors who teach about agriculture, food, and natural resources. The highest job growth can be found in teaching health specialties, including dentistry, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

Highest Paying Alternative Careers for College Professors

There are education careers outside of day-to-day teaching that may be of interest to you. If you're still eager to work in academia, you may choose to work in educational leadership to serve as a department head or lead other academic services. Or, you may use your teaching skills in private industry developing and training staff. If you do choose to teach, there may be a day when you're ready to retire, but want to apply your years of experience to a new career. We've compiled a list of jobs for former teachers that pay well and where the skills and experience gained through teaching can continue to benefit others.