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Teaching at the college level is both exciting and rewarding.
With strong job prospects and the potential for high earnings, becoming a college professor is an excellent career choice for those passionate about education.
The national average salary for college professors varies based on factors such as state, institution type, and academic rank.
According to the American Association of University Professors, the average full-time college professor earned $112,139 during the 2023–24 academic year.
Full professors in the U.S. made an average of $155,056 during that same period.
Key Takeaways
- Full-time college professors earned an average of $112,139 in the 2023–24 academic year, with full professors averaging $155,056 annually.
- States like Rhode Island ($99,954), Massachusetts ($86,109), and Connecticut ($86,681) offer some of the highest average salaries for college professors.
- Employment for postsecondary teachers is expected to grow by 11% from 2018 to 2028, driven by increased enrollment, online education, and retiring faculty.
- Over 25% of adjunct professors earn less than $26,500 annually, with nearly 50% delaying healthcare and 20% relying on Medicaid.
- A small number of professors, such as Zev Rosenwaks at Cornell ($8.8 million), earn over $1 million due to additional roles and responsibilities.
- Careers like research assistants ($45,249), teachers ($45,468), and assistant professors ($66,241) are alternatives to being a college professor.
Average College Professor Salaries by State in 2024
| State | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $64,010 |
| Alaska | $67,566 |
| Arizona | $64,709 |
| Arkansas | $51,246 |
| California | $82,970 |
| Colorado | $63,082 |
| Connecticut | $86,681 |
| Delaware | $79,923 |
| Florida | $56,204 |
| Georgia | $57,993 |
| Hawaii | $80,642 |
| Idaho | $63,613 |
| Illinois | $74,821 |
| Indiana | $64,296 |
| Iowa | $63,517 |
| Kansas | $55,226 |
| Kentucky | $56,298 |
| Louisiana | $59,170 |
| Maine | $72,605 |
| Maryland | $76,723 |
| Massachusetts | $86,109 |
| Michigan | $74,170 |
| Minnesota | $70,859 |
| Mississippi | $56,387 |
| Missouri | $60,973 |
| Montana | $57,053 |
| Nebraska | $62,292 |
| Nevada | $68,722 |
| New Hampshire | $74,826 |
| New Jersey | $69,327 |
| New Mexico | $63,606 |
| New York | $72,719 |
| North Carolina | $58,938 |
| North Dakota | $60,831 |
| Ohio | $62,942 |
| Oklahoma | $53,394 |
| Oregon | $71,872 |
| Pennsylvania | $67,797 |
| Rhode Island | $99,954 |
| South Carolina | $60,154 |
| South Dakota | $63,392 |
| Tennessee | $59,511 |
| Texas | $63,576 |
| Utah | $74,890 |
| Vermont | $73,879 |
| Virginia | $68,908 |
| Washington | $73,315 |
| West Virginia | $52,751 |
| Wisconsin | $69,477 |
| Wyoming | $63,301 |
Future Outlook for College Professors
The demand for college professors is projected to grow significantly in the coming years.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for postsecondary teachers is expected to increase by 11% from 2018 to 2028, more than double the average growth rate of 5% for all occupations.
This surge in demand is driven by a growing number of students pursuing higher education, as well as increased emphasis on specialized knowledge and advanced degrees in the modern workforce.
Factors Driving Growth in Academia
| Factor | Impact on Demand |
|---|---|
| Increasing Enrollment | More students pursuing higher education is boosting the need for qualified faculty. |
| Expansion of Online Learning | Growth in digital and hybrid learning formats has created new teaching opportunities. |
| Specialized Fields and Research | Emerging areas like AI and interdisciplinary studies are driving academic needs. |
| Retirement of Current Faculty | Many professors nearing retirement are opening up opportunities for new educators. |
The Reality of Adjunct Professor Pay
A 2023 report by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) highlights the financial challenges faced by adjunct professors—non-tenure-track faculty who often work on a part-time basis. Despite their critical role in higher education, many adjunct professors earn wages that make it difficult to sustain a decent standard of living.
The report surveyed over 1,000 adjunct professors from two- and four-year institutions in mid-2022. It revealed that more than 25% of adjunct faculty earn less than $26,500 annually, placing them below the federal poverty threshold for a family of four. This finding debunks the common misconception that adjuncts typically supplement their teaching income with other well-paying jobs.
Key challenges reported include:
- Only 15% of adjuncts can comfortably meet monthly expenses.
- Nearly 50% delay necessary healthcare due to costs.
- Almost 20% rely on Medicaid for health insurance.
The study also highlighted a growing reliance on adjunct faculty in higher education. Today, 67% of faculty are ineligible for tenure, and 48% hold part-time positions. In contrast, 40 years ago, 70% of faculty were tenured or on the tenure track.
Professors Earning Over $1 Million: A Rare Phenomenon
While most university professors earn less than $250,000 annually, a select few surpass the $1 million mark. These extraordinary salaries often stem from additional roles and responsibilities beyond teaching, such as administrative duties or high-profile research positions.
Examples of High-Earning Professors
| University | Professor | Role | Reported Salary (2021) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cornell University | Zev Rosenwaks | Clinical Professor | $8.8 million |
| Cornell University | Hey-Joo Kang | Associate Clinical Professor | Over $3 million |
| Cornell University | Kieyhun Daniel Riew | Associate Clinical Professor | Over $3 million |
| Cornell University | Rony Elias | Assistant Clinical Professor | Over $3 million |
| Harvard University | David J. Malan | Computer Science Professor | $1.5 million |
| University of Southern California | Laura Mosqueda | Family Medicine/Geriatrics | Just over $1 million |
| University of Southern California | Charles Zukoski | Chemical Engineering | Just over $1 million |
Careers Similar to College Professor
If you’re exploring career paths related to being a college professor, consider these roles:
Research Assistant
- Average Salary: $45,249 per year
Research assistants help conduct experiments, gather and analyze data, and maintain research projects. Their tasks often include editing papers, applying for grants, reviewing literature, and ensuring projects stay on track.
Teacher
- Average Salary: $45,468 per year
Teachers educate students across various levels of education. Their duties include creating and delivering educational content, supervising classes, providing personalized instruction, and monitoring student progress.
Kindergarten Teacher
- Average Salary: $45,267 per year
Kindergarten teachers introduce young children to foundational subjects like math, science, and language. They plan lessons, foster creativity, and nurture students’ early academic and social development.
Assistant Professor
- Average Salary: $66,241 per year
Assistant professors are junior faculty members responsible for teaching, guiding research students, and publishing scholarly work. They also develop instructional methods and supervise teaching assistants.
Associate Professor
- Average Salary: $86,324 per year
Associate professors are experienced educators who contribute to their field through research and teaching. They mentor students, publish academic papers, represent their institution at conferences, and participate in faculty committees.
Methodology
Data was sourced from reputable organizations, including the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and tax filings from universities.
Reports like the 2023 AFT study provided insight into adjunct professor challenges and the growing reliance on part-time faculty.
State-by-state salary averages were compiled and verified using government and university records.
Growth projections and factors influencing demand for professors were analyzed using BLS data and trends in higher education.
High-earning professors and related career roles were reviewed to provide a balanced perspective on opportunities in academia.
Data was summarized into tables and key takeaways to make the information accessible and concise.
