📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release
College Professor Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · Medium Demand
Average
$103,470
per year
Median
$80,000
per year
Hourly
$49.75
per hour
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$49,211
25th Percentile — Junior$72,615
50th Percentile — Median$80,000
75th Percentile — Senior$125,274
90th Percentile — Top Earners$147,550
💡 The top 10% of College Professors earn $147,550 or more per year. Entry-level professionals can expect to start around $49,211, with significant growth over the first 5 years.
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$91.5k
2021
$93.7k
2022
$96.1k
2023
$98.5k
2024
$100.9k
2025
$103.5k
2026
📈 College Professor salaries have grown 2.5% year-over-year. Since 2020, the average salary has increased by approximately $12,018.
Salary by State
Geographic salary comparison
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $160,378 | +55.0% | Medium |
| District of Columbia | $157,274 | +52.0% | Medium |
| California | $146,927 | +42.0% | Medium |
| New York | $142,789 | +38.0% | Medium |
| Alaska | $136,580 | +32.0% | Medium |
| Massachusetts | $134,511 | +30.0% | Medium |
| New Jersey | $132,442 | +28.0% | Medium |
| Washington | $129,338 | +25.0% | Medium |
| Connecticut | $126,233 | +22.0% | Medium |
| Maryland | $118,990 | +15.0% | Medium |
| Rhode Island | $118,990 | +15.0% | Medium |
| New Hampshire | $117,956 | +14.0% | Medium |
| Oregon | $115,886 | +12.0% | Medium |
| Colorado | $113,817 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Virginia | $113,817 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Vermont | $111,748 | +8.0% | Medium |
| Delaware | $108,644 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Illinois | $108,644 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Maine | $105,539 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Nevada | $105,539 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Minnesota | $103,470 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Utah | $103,470 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Arizona | $102,435 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Pennsylvania | $102,435 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Florida | $101,401 | -2.0% | Medium |
| Montana | $98,296 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Texas | $98,296 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Georgia | $96,227 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Idaho | $96,227 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Wyoming | $96,227 | -7.0% | Medium |
| North Dakota | $95,192 | -8.0% | Medium |
| Wisconsin | $95,192 | -8.0% | Medium |
| North Carolina | $94,158 | -9.0% | Medium |
| Michigan | $93,123 | -10.0% | Medium |
| Louisiana | $91,054 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Nebraska | $91,054 | -12.0% | Medium |
| New Mexico | $91,054 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Ohio | $91,054 | -12.0% | Medium |
| South Carolina | $91,054 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Tennessee | $91,054 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Alabama | $90,019 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Missouri | $90,019 | -13.0% | Medium |
| South Dakota | $90,019 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Iowa | $88,984 | -14.0% | Medium |
| Indiana | $87,950 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Kansas | $87,950 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Oklahoma | $86,915 | -16.0% | Medium |
| Arkansas | $85,880 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Kentucky | $85,880 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Mississippi | $82,776 | -20.0% | Medium |
| West Virginia | $80,707 | -22.0% | Medium |
What Factors Affect College Professor Salary?
Key factors affecting compensation
A College Professor's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level College Professors typically earn $49,211–$72,615 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $125,274–$147,550 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The College Professor role currently has medium demand in the job market with a 2.5% growth rate, making it one of the steadily growing careers in the Education sector.
🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
-
What is the average salary for a College Professor?The average salary for a College Professor in the United States is $103,470 per year, with a median of $80,000.
-
What is the starting salary for a College Professor?Entry-level College Professors typically earn between $49,211 and $72,615 per year depending on location and employer.
-
What state pays College Professors the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay College Professors the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
-
How much does a College Professor make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $103,470, a College Professor earns approximately $49.75 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
-
Is College Professor a good career in 2026?Yes — the College Professor role has medium demand with 2.5% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.
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