How Much Does a College Professor Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$77,640
College professors in the U.S. earn a median of $77,640 a year. Half of college professors earn more than $77,640 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $160,700.
Pay percentiles for college professors
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
| 10th | $44,300 |
| 25th | $59,290 |
| 50th (median) | $77,640 |
| 75th | $106,770 |
| 90th | $160,700 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Postsecondary Teachers, All Other (SOC 25-1199). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
BLS reports only annual wages for college professors, because most are paid a yearly salary and often work a school or contract year rather than 2,080 hours. We do not convert these figures to an hourly rate.
Highest-paying states for college professors
| State | Median annual | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware | $101,070 | +30% |
| California | $100,690 | +30% |
| Massachusetts | $94,480 | +22% |
| New Jersey | $85,260 | +10% |
| Oklahoma | $84,550 | +9% |
| Minnesota | $84,280 | +9% |
| Virginia | $84,060 | +8% |
| Colorado | $83,210 | +7% |
| Maryland | $82,850 | +7% |
| New Hampshire | $79,980 | +3% |
| United States | $77,640 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many college professors are there?
BLS counts about 149,840 college professors employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Postsecondary Teachers, All Other”. The most jobs are in California (37,770), Florida (14,730) and Pennsylvania (12,100).
The mean (average) annual wage is $90,630, higher than the median of $77,640.
Frequently asked questions
How much do college professors make an hour?
BLS publishes only annual wages for college professors, because most are paid a salary and work fewer than 2,080 hours a year. The median annual wage is $77,640.
Which state pays college professors the most?
Delaware has the highest median wage for college professors at $101,070, +30% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for college professors?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of college professors earn less than $44,300 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.