Salary of Professor in US 2025 | Statistics & Facts

Salary of Professor in US 2025 | Statistics & Facts

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Salary of Professor in America 2025

The academic landscape in America continues to evolve, and with it, the compensation structure for professors across various institutions. Understanding the salary of professors in the US in 2025 requires examining multiple data sources, including official government statistics and professional associations that track faculty compensation. The financial reality for professors varies significantly based on factors including academic rank, discipline, institutional type, and geographic location. These variations create a complex compensation ecosystem where a professor’s annual salary can range from modest five-figure sums to well into six figures.

The most recent comprehensive data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that as of May 2024, the median annual wage for postsecondary teachers was $83,980. However, this figure represents just one data point in a broader spectrum. The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) provides additional context through their annual Faculty Compensation Survey, which reveals that from fall 2023 to fall 2024, nominal average salaries increased 3.8 percent, though real wages increased only 0.9 percent after adjusting for inflation. This modest growth reflects ongoing challenges in higher education funding, particularly at public institutions where state appropriations have not kept pace with rising costs. Understanding these salary dynamics is essential for current and aspiring academics navigating career decisions in 2025.

Key Facts About Professor Salaries in the US 2025

Fact Category Statistic Details
Median Annual Salary $83,980 BLS data for postsecondary teachers (May 2024)
Salary Range $48,570 – $199,520 Bottom 10% to top 10% percentile (May 2024)
Average Salary Increase 3.8% Nominal increase from fall 2023 to fall 2024 (AAUP)
Real Wage Growth 0.9% After adjusting for 2.9% inflation (AAUP 2024-25)
Total Faculty Members 1.4 million Postsecondary teachers employed in 2024 (BLS)
Job Growth Projection 7% Expected growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS)
Annual Job Openings 114,000 Projected average openings per year through 2034
Gender Pay Gap 83.2% Women’s salaries as percentage of men’s (AAUP 2024-25)
Continuing Faculty Raise 4.7% Nominal increase for faculty remaining at same institution
COVID-19 Impact -7.5% Cumulative real salary decrease from fall 2019 to fall 2022

Data sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), American Association of University Professors Faculty Compensation Survey (2024-25)

The data reveals significant variations in professor compensation across the United States in 2025. The median annual wage of $83,980 represents the middle point where half of all postsecondary teachers earn more and half earn less. However, this national median masks considerable disparities. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $48,570, often representing part-time adjunct faculty or instructors at community colleges, while the highest 10 percent earned more than $199,520, typically full professors at prestigious research universities or specialized fields like medicine and law. The nominal salary increase of 3.8% from 2023 to 2024 appears positive on the surface, but when accounting for inflation of 2.9%, the real wage growth of only 0.9% indicates that professors barely kept pace with rising living costs.

The AAUP survey data for 2024-25 encompassed over 800 US colleges and universities, providing employment data for approximately 370,000 full-time faculty members and 90,000 part-time faculty members. This comprehensive dataset offers crucial insights into faculty compensation trends. Notably, continuing full-time faculty—those employed in fall 2023 who remained at the same institution in fall 2024—experienced a 4.7 percent nominal increase, translating to approximately 1.8 percent in real terms after inflation adjustment. This suggests that faculty who stay at their institutions receive marginally better raises than the overall faculty population, which includes newly hired professors often starting at market rates that may differ from existing salary structures.

Average Professor Salary by Academic Rank in the US 2025

Academic Rank Average Annual Salary Salary Range Percentage of Faculty
Full Professor $104,820 – $181,000 $85,000 – $240,000 Top 25-30% of faculty
Associate Professor $81,274 – $102,311 $70,000 – $130,000 Middle 30-35% of faculty
Assistant Professor $70,791 – $76,338 $52,000 – $95,000 25-30% of faculty
Instructor $59,400 – $62,000 $48,000 – $75,000 10-15% of faculty
Lecturer $56,712 $45,000 – $70,000 Variable percentage

Data sources: AAUP Faculty Compensation Survey (2024-25), Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), Salary.com, Indeed.com

The hierarchical structure of academia directly correlates with compensation levels, creating distinct salary tiers based on academic rank in 2025. Full professors, who have achieved the highest academic rank after years of research, publication, and teaching excellence, command the highest salaries. According to AAUP data, the average full professor salary in 2024-25 was approximately $104,820, though this varies significantly by institution type and discipline. At doctoral universities and prestigious research institutions, full professor salaries can exceed $181,000 annually, particularly in high-demand fields like business, law, engineering, and medicine.

Associate professors occupy the middle tier of the academic hierarchy, typically holding this rank for 5-7 years before promotion to full professor. Their average salary of $81,274 reflects their mid-career status, with most earning between $70,000 and $130,000 depending on institution, field, and geographic location. The salary gap between associate and full professors averaged $10,600 according to AAUP’s 2024-25 report, though at some institutions, salary compression has reduced this differential to as little as $5,000. Concerningly, approximately 22 institutions actually reported salary inversion, where assistant professors earn more than associates due to market-driven hiring rates for new faculty.

Assistant professors represent entry-level tenure-track positions, with average salaries ranging from $70,791 to $76,338 in 2025. These early-career academics typically spend 6-7 years at this rank before being considered for promotion to associate professor with tenure. The relatively modest starting salaries reflect the competitive nature of academic hiring, though high-demand disciplines like computer science, engineering, and business can command significantly higher entry-level compensation. Instructors and lecturers, often in non-tenure-track positions, earn the lowest salaries among full-time faculty, with instructors averaging $59,400 and lecturers averaging $56,712 according to AAUP data.

Professor Salary by Discipline and Field in the US 2025

Discipline/Field Average Annual Salary Median Salary Top 10% Earnings
Law Professors $153,386 – $165,536 $155,000 $269,000+
Medical School Professors $114,792 – $182,987 $121,500 $189,000+
Engineering Professors $111,107 – $160,902 $118,917 $162,500+
Business Professors $95,000 – $125,000 $105,000 $175,000+
Health Specialties Professors $121,620 $115,000 $159,950+
Associate Medicine Professors $152,002 $140,000 $328,000
Education Professors $68,124 – $85,000 $75,000 $110,000
English/Literature Professors $65,000 – $80,000 $72,000 $105,000

Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), Zippia, Glassdoor, Salary.com, AAMC Faculty Salary Report

The discipline or field of study dramatically impacts professor salaries in the US in 2025, with professional schools and STEM fields commanding the highest compensation. Law professors rank among the highest-paid academics, with average salaries ranging from $153,386 to $165,536 according to multiple sources including Zippia and ZipRecruiter. At top-tier law schools, particularly those in the Top 14 (T14) rankings, full professors can earn well over $200,000 annually, with some exceeding $250,000 when including summer stipends and research grants. The median salary for law professors stands at approximately $155,000, while the top 10 percent earn $269,000 or more, reflecting the high market value of legal education and the alternative career options available to qualified legal scholars in private practice.

Medical school professors represent another highly compensated group, though their salaries vary significantly based on whether they maintain clinical practice alongside teaching duties. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that health specialties professors earned an average of $121,620 in May 2024, but this figure encompasses diverse roles. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Faculty Salary Report for FY 2024, which surveyed 156 accredited U.S. medical schools covering more than 134,000 full-time faculty members, compensation includes base salary, medical practice supplements, and bonus/incentive pay. Associate professors of medicine average $152,002, with the top 10 percent earning up to $328,000, particularly at prestigious teaching hospitals where clinical revenue supplements academic salaries.

Engineering professors benefit from strong industry demand for technical education, earning average salaries between $111,107 and $160,902 in 2025. The Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies these as “engineering teachers, postsecondary” with significant regional variations. States like Rhode Island, California, and New York offer the highest average engineering professor salaries, often exceeding $130,000 due to cost of living adjustments and proximity to technology hubs. Mechanical engineering professors average $54,405 at lower-tier institutions but can earn substantially more at research universities. The median salary of $118,917 reflects the mid-career earnings potential, while experienced full professors in engineering at top programs regularly exceed $150,000 annually.

Professor Salary by State and Region in the US 2025

State Average Annual Salary Cost of Living Index Rank
California $95,000 – $147,238 138.5 (High) 1-3
Massachusetts $92,000 – $145,276 131.6 (High) 2-4
New York $88,000 – $128,762 125.3 (High) 3-5
Connecticut $87,000 – $142,660 127.4 (High) 4-6
Rhode Island $103,140 – $134,290 110.6 (Above Average) 1-2
Washington $85,000 – $115,000 113.8 (Above Average) 5-8
New Jersey $84,000 – $144,689 125.1 (High) 6-7
Texas $75,000 – $93,470 91.5 (Below Average) 15-20
Florida $70,000 – $90,330 99.6 (Average) 20-25
Arkansas $55,000 – $70,000 86.9 (Low) 45-48

Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), Zippia State Salary Data, BrokeScholar Analysis, Cost of Living Index

Geographic location significantly influences professor salaries across the United States in 2025, with coastal states and major metropolitan areas offering substantially higher compensation than rural or southern states. California consistently ranks among the top-paying states for professors, with average salaries ranging from $95,000 to $147,238 depending on discipline and institution type. However, California’s high cost of living index of 138.5 (where 100 represents the national average) means that real purchasing power may be lower than raw salary figures suggest. San Francisco, Berkeley, and Los Angeles offer some of the highest nominal professor salaries but also face housing costs that can consume 40-50% of income.

Massachusetts and its concentration of prestigious universities including Harvard, MIT, Boston University, and numerous liberal arts colleges drive average professor salaries to $92,000 – $145,276 across disciplines. The state benefits from a robust higher education ecosystem with intense competition for top faculty, particularly in STEM fields and business. New York follows closely with average professor salaries of $88,000 – $128,762, supported by institutions like Columbia University, Cornell University, NYU, and the extensive SUNY and CUNY systems. However, both states face cost of living challenges that reduce real income, particularly for professors living in or near major cities.

Rhode Island presents an interesting anomaly, ranking first for engineering professor salaries at $134,290 despite being a small state. This reflects the influence of Brown University and other technical institutions that pay premium salaries to attract top talent. Washington state offers competitive salaries averaging $85,000 – $115,000, driven by the University of Washington system and proximity to technology industry employers who create demand for technical education. Meanwhile, states like Arkansas, Tennessee, and Wyoming report the lowest average professor salaries, often $25,000 – $40,000 below coastal state averages, though significantly lower living costs partially offset this disparity.

Professor Salary by Institution Type in the US 2025

Institution Type Average Salary Full Professor Associate Professor Assistant Professor
Doctoral Universities (Private) $110,000 – $145,000 $150,000 – $181,000 $95,000 – $115,000 $80,000 – $95,000
Doctoral Universities (Public) $95,000 – $125,000 $125,000 – $160,000 $85,000 – $105,000 $72,000 – $88,000
Master’s Universities (Private) $82,000 – $105,000 $105,000 – $135,000 $75,000 – $95,000 $65,000 – $80,000
Master’s Universities (Public) $75,000 – $95,000 $95,000 – $120,000 $68,000 – $85,000 $58,000 – $72,000
Baccalaureate Colleges (Private) $78,000 – $98,000 $98,000 – $125,000 $70,000 – $88,000 $60,000 – $75,000
Associate’s Colleges (Public) $62,000 – $78,000 $80,000 – $100,000 $62,000 – $78,000 $55,000 – $68,000
Professional Schools (Law/Medicine) $120,000 – $175,000 $175,000 – $250,000+ $110,000 – $160,000 $95,000 – $130,000

Data sources: AAUP Faculty Compensation Survey (2024-25), Carnegie Classification Analysis

The type of institution dramatically affects professor compensation in 2025, with research-intensive doctoral universities and professional schools offering the highest salaries. Private doctoral universities—institutions like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Yale, and Princeton—lead in compensation, with average salaries ranging from $110,000 to $145,000 across all ranks. Full professors at these elite institutions typically earn $150,000 – $181,000, with many exceeding $200,000 when including research grants, consulting income, and other supplements. These institutions benefit from large endowments, substantial tuition revenue, and intense competition for top-tier faculty who drive research production and institutional prestige.

Public doctoral universities including flagship state institutions like the University of California system, University of Michigan, University of Virginia, and University of Texas systems offer competitive but generally lower salaries than their private counterparts. Average salaries range from $95,000 to $125,000, with full professors earning $125,000 – $160,000. However, these institutions face budget constraints tied to state funding levels, which have declined significantly in real terms over the past two decades. Many public research universities struggle with salary compression, where newer assistant professors earn salaries close to those of established associate professors due to market-rate hiring while existing faculty receive minimal annual raises limited by state budget allocations.

Community colleges and associate’s degree institutions offer the lowest average faculty salaries, typically $62,000 – $78,000 across all ranks, with full professors earning $80,000 – $100,000. These institutions focus primarily on teaching rather than research, employ fewer tenure-track faculty, and often rely heavily on part-time adjunct instructors. The AAUP 2024-25 survey revealed that at associate degree-granting institutions with standard faculty ranking systems, instructors averaged approximately $62,000, highlighting the salary gap between two-year and four-year institutions. However, community college faculty typically teach heavier course loads and have limited expectations for research and publication, representing a different professional model than research university faculty.

Part-Time and Adjunct Professor Compensation in the US 2025

Position Type Per Course Payment Annual Salary Range Benefits Coverage
Adjunct Professor (Average) $4,093 $12,279 – $32,744 Limited/None
Part-Time Lecturer $3,226 – $6,481 $9,678 – $38,886 Rare
Adjunct (Private Baccalaureate) $6,481 $19,443 – $38,886 31-34% receive some
Adjunct (Religious Master’s) $3,226 $9,678 – $19,356 Minimal
Adjunct (Public Universities) $3,500 – $5,000 $10,500 – $40,000 Limited

Data sources: AAUP Faculty Compensation Survey (2024-25), NEA Higher Education Advocacy

The compensation structure for part-time and adjunct faculty in 2025 presents one of higher education’s most challenging economic realities. According to the AAUP 2024-25 Faculty Compensation Survey, part-time faculty members earned an average of $4,093 per three-credit course section in the 2023-24 academic year, representing approximately 3.9 percent lower than the pre-pandemic average. This figure varies dramatically by institution type, ranging from a low of $3,226 at religiously affiliated master’s institutions to a high of $6,481 at private independent baccalaureate institutions. For adjunct professors teaching a typical load of 3-4 courses per semester (6-8 courses annually), this translates to total annual income of $12,279 to $32,744—well below living wage thresholds in most metropolitan areas.

The AAUP survey revealed disturbing trends in adjunct benefits coverage. Only 34.4 percent of institutions contributed toward retirement plans for some or all part-time faculty members, and merely 31.5 percent contributed to premiums for medical insurance plans in 2023-24. This lack of benefits compounds the low per-course pay, forcing many adjunct professors to work at multiple institutions simultaneously or maintain employment outside academia to achieve financial stability. The term “freeway flyers” describes adjuncts who drive between multiple campuses to piece together enough courses for subsistence income, often without office space, institutional support, or job security from semester to semester.

The economic precarity of adjunct positions stands in stark contrast to tenure-track faculty compensation. While a full-time assistant professor might earn $70,000 – $85,000 annually with full benefits, an adjunct teaching the same number of courses could earn less than $25,000 with no benefits. This two-tiered system has expanded significantly over the past three decades. In fall 2023, approximately 48.6 percent of all faculty members worked part-time, compared to roughly 33 percent in the late 1980s. Only 31.8 percent of faculty members held full-time tenured or tenure-track appointments in fall 2023, down from an estimated 53.1 percent in fall 1987, according to AAUP analysis of federal IPEDS data.

Gender Pay Gap and Equity in Professor Salaries US 2025

Gender Comparison Average Salary (All Ranks) Full Professor Associate Professor Assistant Professor
Male Faculty $127,000 $135,000 – $155,000 $88,000 – $105,000 $75,000 – $82,000
Female Faculty $106,000 $112,000 – $132,000 $82,000 – $95,000 $70,000 – $78,000
Salary Equity Ratio 83.2% 83% 84% 93%
Pay Gap Amount $21,000 $23,000 – $28,000 $6,000 – $10,000 $3,000 – $5,000

Data sources: AAUP Faculty Compensation Survey (2024-25), BLS Economic Analysis

The gender pay gap in academic salaries remains persistent in 2025, with full-time women faculty members earning an average of 83.2 percent of men’s salaries according to the AAUP 2024-25 Faculty Compensation Survey. Female faculty averaged approximately $106,000 compared to male faculty’s $127,000, representing a pay gap of roughly $21,000 annually. This 83.2 percent salary-equity ratio mirrors the gender pay gap in the broader U.S. economy, where the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports similar disparities across occupational categories. However, this overall figure masks important variations by rank, discipline, and institution type that warrant closer examination.

The gender pay disparity widens at higher academic ranks. Female full professors earn approximately $112,000 – $132,000 compared to male full professors’ $135,000 – $155,000, a gap of $23,000 – $28,000 or roughly 17 percent. At the associate professor level, female faculty earn $82,000 – $95,000 versus male associates’ $88,000 – $105,000, narrowing the gap to approximately $6,000 – $10,000 or 7-12 percent. The smallest disparity exists among assistant professors, where female faculty earn 93 percent of male colleagues’ salaries, with differences of just $3,000 – $5,000. This pattern suggests that women face increasing salary disadvantages as they advance through academic ranks, potentially reflecting cumulative effects of salary negotiation differences, career interruptions, and institutional bias.

According to AAUP researcher Chelsea Fowler’s analysis, women “have made strides in achieving parity with men in ranked positions” but continue facing barriers to reaching the highest-paid full professor rank. She attributes this “leaky pipeline” to inadequate institutional support, sexual harassment, unconscious bias, lack of mentorship, and work-life balance challenges. Women remain disproportionately concentrated in lower-paid non-tenure-track positions and part-time adjunct roles with fewer advancement opportunities. The AAUP report notes that while their survey doesn’t collect data on length of service or discipline—factors that influence salary—”available data clearly show that more work is needed to end the pay gap in higher education.” Addressing gender pay equity requires institutional commitment to transparent salary structures, equitable hiring and promotion practices, and policies supporting work-life integration.

Salary Trends and Projections for Professors US 2025-2034

Metric Current Status (2024-25) 5-Year Projection (2030) 10-Year Projection (2034)
Employment Growth 1.4 million positions 1.47 million positions 1.5 million positions
Growth Rate 7% (2024-2034) 3.5% cumulative 7% cumulative
Annual Openings 114,000 per year 114,000 per year 114,000 per year
Median Salary $83,980 $91,000 – $95,000 (projected) $98,000 – $105,000 (projected)
Inflation-Adjusted Growth 0.9% real growth 1.5-2% real growth 1-1.5% real growth
Retirement Wave Impact Moderate Increasing Peak replacements

Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook (2024-2034), AAUP Trend Analysis

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 7 percent employment growth for postsecondary teachers from 2024 to 2034, characterized as “much faster than the average for all occupations.” This growth translates to approximately 114,000 annual job openings over the decade, though the BLS notes that “many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire,” rather than entirely new positions. The projection reflects several competing trends: growing student enrollment in certain fields, increasing adoption of online education models that may reduce need for physical faculty presence, and a significant wave of retirements as Baby Boomer professors exit academia.

Salary projections for professors through 2034 suggest modest real wage growth following the stagnation and decline experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic years. The AAUP data shows that real average salaries in 2024 remained approximately 6.2 percent lower than their fall 2019 peak, representing a cumulative loss of purchasing power that has not yet been recovered despite two consecutive years of slight increases. If current trends continue, with nominal salary increases of 3-4 percent annually and inflation moderating to 2-2.5 percent, professors might expect real wage growth of 1-2 percent per year over the next decade. This would bring the median professor salary from the current $83,980 to approximately $98,000 – $105,000 by 2034 in inflation-adjusted dollars.

However, these projections face significant uncertainty from multiple factors. State funding for public higher education increased just 4.3 percent in fiscal year 2025, or 1.5 percent after inflation adjustment, while total state appropriations per student decreased 2.9 percent after inflation due to enrollment growth. This funding constraint limits salary increases at public institutions that employ the majority of faculty. Private institutions face their own pressures from concerns about college affordability, enrollment demographics with declining traditional college-age populations in many regions, and competition from alternative education models. The ongoing shift toward contingent faculty positions—with 68.2 percent of faculty now employed part-time or in full-time non-tenure-track roles—suggests that while total professor employment may grow, an increasing share will be in lower-paid, insecure positions rather than traditional tenure-track roles with competitive salaries.

High-Paying Specializations and Career Advancement in the US 2025

Specialization Entry-Level Salary Mid-Career Salary Senior/Peak Salary Career Timeline
Law (T14 Schools) $150,000 – $175,000 $185,000 – $220,000 $250,000 – $350,000+ 10-15 years to peak
Medicine (Clinical) $120,000 – $160,000 $180,000 – $250,000 $300,000 – $400,000+ 8-12 years to peak
Business/Finance $110,000 – $140,000 $145,000 – $185,000 $200,000 – $280,000 10-15 years to peak
Computer Science $95,000 – $120,000 $125,000 – $165,000 $175,000 – $240,000 8-12 years to peak
Engineering (Top Programs) $90,000 – $115,000 $120,000 – $155,000 $165,000 – $220,000 10-15 years to peak

Data sources: AAMC, AALS, Professional Association Salary Surveys

Career advancement in academia follows a relatively predictable trajectory from assistant professor to associate professor (typically 6-7 years) and finally to full professor (an additional 5-7 years beyond associate). However, salary growth varies dramatically by specialization. Law professors at Top 14 law schools can expect starting salaries of $150,000 – $175,000 as assistant professors, progressing to $185,000 – $220,000 as associates, and reaching $250,000 – $350,000+ as full professors, with the highest earners at elite institutions like Yale, Harvard, and Stanford exceeding even these figures. This premium reflects both the high alternative salaries available in legal practice and the competitive market for top legal scholars.

Clinical medical school faculty who maintain active patient care practices alongside teaching can achieve some of the highest academic compensation. Starting salaries for assistant professors of medicine range from $120,000 – $160,000, but this represents only base academic salary. When including clinical practice supplements—revenue generated from seeing patients—total compensation for associate professors can reach $180,000 – $250,000, with senior full professors and department chairs earning $300,000 – $400,000+ according to AAMC Faculty Salary Report data. The highest earners include surgical specialties, radiology, and cardiology professors at major teaching hospitals.

Business school faculty, particularly those teaching finance, accounting, or management at top MBA programs, command salaries rivaling corporate compensation. Assistant professors start at $110,000 – $140,000, associate professors earn $145,000 – $185,000, and full professors can reach $200,000 – $280,000 at elite institutions. Many business faculty supplement academic salaries with consulting work, executive education programs, and board positions. Computer science professors benefit from intense industry demand for technical talent, with starting salaries of $95,000 – $120,000 that can progress to $175,000 – $240,000 for full professors at research universities, particularly those conducting sought-after research in artificial intelligence, machine learning, or cybersecurity. Engineering professors follow similar trajectories, with peak salaries of $165,000 – $220,000 for full professors at top programs.

Disclaimer: The data research report we present here is based on information found from various sources. We are not liable for any financial loss, errors, or damages of any kind that may result from the use of the information herein. We acknowledge that though we try to report accurately, we cannot verify the absolute facts of everything that has been represented.

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