Education
College Professor Salary
Teaches, researches, and publishes within a specific academic discipline.
Low
$52,000
Average
$89,000
High
$155,000
What this role does
- Teach undergraduate or graduate courses
- Conduct and publish original research
- Advise students and theses
- Serve on academic committees
Education & path in
Doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in most fields; master's for some community college roles
Experience level: Postdoctoral research common before tenure-track roles
Where it pays best
States that typically pay above the national average for this role: California, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey. Actual pay depends heavily on metro area, employer size, and cost of living.
Job outlook
Average
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Figures are editorial estimates as of Jul 1, 2026, not official government statistics. For official data, see the Bureau of Labor Statistics.