How Much Does a Law Professor Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$128,500
Law professors in the U.S. earn a median of $128,500 a year. Half of law professors earn more than $128,500 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $287,900.
Pay percentiles for law professors
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
| 10th | $64,250 |
| 25th | $88,700 |
| 50th (median) | $128,500 |
| 75th | $176,490 |
| 90th | $287,900 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Law Teachers, Postsecondary (SOC 25-1112). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
BLS reports only annual wages for law 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 law professors
| State | Median annual | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $171,790 | +34% |
| Oregon | $167,010 | +30% |
| South Carolina | $162,400 | +26% |
| Iowa | $160,700 | +25% |
| New Hampshire | $157,800 | +23% |
| Michigan | $141,680 | +10% |
| Wisconsin | $140,940 | +10% |
| Kentucky | $140,820 | +10% |
| Maryland | $139,980 | +9% |
| Indiana | $139,400 | +8% |
| United States | $128,500 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many law professors are there?
BLS counts about 20,060 law professors employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Law Teachers, Postsecondary”. The most jobs are in California (7,800), New York (2,190) and Texas (880).
The mean (average) annual wage is $144,770, higher than the median of $128,500.
Frequently asked questions
How much do law professors make an hour?
BLS publishes only annual wages for law professors, because most are paid a salary and work fewer than 2,080 hours a year. The median annual wage is $128,500.
Which state pays law professors the most?
Minnesota has the highest median wage for law professors at $171,790, +34% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for law professors?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of law professors earn less than $64,250 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.