How Much Do College Professors Get Paid? School, University and College level

In the United States, the salaries of college professors can vary significantly based on factors like institution type, rank, and discipline. According to data from the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), full college professors in the U.S. made an average of $155,056 in the 2023-24 academic year. The association found that professors’ education levels, job ranks, and the types of institutions where they work influence their average earnings.

Professor Salaries Vary Greatly by Job Level and Institution Type

The three main ranks of professors—assistant, associate, and full—reflect different experience levels. Typically, assistant professors are newer and just starting on the tenure track, while associate professors have gained tenure, and full professors are the most senior. There are also adjunct and non-tenured full-time faculty like lecturers or instructors. Additionally, the type of institution—public, private, or religiously affiliated—also plays a key role in determining professors’ salaries.

Average Professor Salary by Institution Type, 2023-24

PositionAll InstitutionsPublicPrivate or IndependentReligiously Affiliated
Professor$155,056$145,112$196,353$136,928
Associate Professor$106,216$104,179$120,631$97,721
Assistant Professor$92,094$90,309$105,491$83,400
Instructor$69,307$65,742$79,079$73,229
Lecturer$75,841$70,956$95,406$66,824
No Rank$76,502$76,878$74,370$74,857
Combined$112,139$106,726$137,889$102,177

Source: American Association of University Professors

Notably, full professors at private doctoral institutions had the highest average salary at $227,163, while assistant professors at public two-year institutions earned the lowest at $49,623.

how much do university professors make in california

The estimated total pay for a Professor is $182,270 per year in the California area, with an average salary of $113,229 per year.

Salaries can also differ widely across disciplines. For example, starting salaries for assistant professors in business often exceed those for STEM professors, which may seem surprising given the higher average earnings for STEM graduates in industry roles. For instance, one associate professor in the USA, STEM field, who’s been in their role for 10 years, reported an $80,000 salary, while new assistant professors in business start at around $140,000. IT personnel with a bachelor’s degree can start at $110,000, and sports coaches, like football coaches, can earn around $750,000.

Professor Pay Stays Flat, Even as Costs Rise

Despite rising tuition and executive pay, professor salaries have remained relatively stagnant. The AAUP found that the average professor salary across all ranks and institutions rose just 4% from 2022-23 to 2023-24, which amounts to a mere 0.6% when adjusted for inflation. Meanwhile, college tuition has increased by roughly 46% over the last decade, and university presidents’ salaries have increased at a rate difficult for experts to track.

How much money do university professors make a brief

Adjunct professors, who are contingent faculty not on the tenure track, face especially challenging pay conditions. A 2023 American Federation of Teachers (AFT) report found that more than a quarter of adjunct professors make less than $26,500 annually, putting them below the federal poverty line for a family of four. The report revealed that nearly half delay essential healthcare, and nearly 20% rely on Medicaid. Although adjuncts are sometimes assumed to have other well-paying jobs, only 15% of survey respondents reported being able to comfortably meet monthly expenses.

Over the years, universities have increased their reliance on adjuncts and part-time positions. Today, more than two-thirds of faculty are ineligible for tenure, whereas 40 years ago, 70% were either tenured or on the tenure track.

Professors’ Pay Can Top $1 Million—But It’s Rare

Though the vast majority of professors earn less than $250,000 per year, a select few, often holding additional roles, earn over $1 million. In 2021, Cornell University professor Zev Rosenwaks earned $8.8 million, making nearly eight times the salary of the university president that year. Harvard’s David J. Malan, a computer science professor, earned $1.5 million in reportable compensation, and professors at the University of Southern California also reported annual earnings over $1 million.

While such cases are rare, they underscore the significant pay variations in academia. Whether at private, prestigious institutions or public community colleges, factors like rank, tenure status, and institution type all play a role in determining professors’ salaries.

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