College Professor Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$88,000
national median salary
$66,000 to $122,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $77,640 for Postsecondary Teachers, All Other (SOC 25-1199) across the United States, based on 149,840 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$44,300
25th percentile
$59,290
Median
$77,640
75th percentile
$106,770
90th percentile
$160,700
Workers surveyed
149,840
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$78,490
May 2025 release
$77,640
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Postsecondary Teachers, All Other (SOC 25-1199) rather than College Professorspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 25-1199Highest Paying
$121,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$92,000
Hartford, CT
Lowest Paying
$70,000
Little Rock, AR
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 25-1199. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average College Professor salary in the United States at $88,000 in 2026, within a range of $66,000 to $122,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Jose is the highest of the 81 cities at $121,000, while Hartford offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Discipline, institution type, and tenure status create enormous pay variance.
College Professor salary by city.
Skills that increase College Professor pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for College Professors based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $12,320 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$12,320 per year
≈ +$11,440 per year
≈ +$10,560 per year
≈ +$9,680 per year
≈ +$9,680 per year
≈ +$8,800 per year
≈ +$8,800 per year
≈ +$7,920 per year
What you should know.
Discipline, institution type, and tenure status create enormous pay variance. Business, engineering, and computer science professors earn 30 to 60% more than humanities professors. R1 research universities pay significantly more than community colleges or teaching-focused institutions.
Assistant Professors start at $66,000 to $85,000 depending on field. Associate Professors with tenure earn $82,000 to $110,000. Full Professors command $100,000 to $150,000, while Endowed Chairs and Distinguished Professors at elite universities exceed $200,000.
Tenure-track professors receive sabbatical leave, research funding, and housing allowances at some institutions. Summer research stipends add $10,000 to $25,000. Consulting and speaking engagements can add $10,000 to $50,000 annually for well-known scholars.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote College Professors typically earn $79,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about College Professor pay.
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