How Much Does a Math Professor Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$79,940
Math professors in the U.S. earn a median of $79,940 a year. Half of math professors earn more than $79,940 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $139,340.
Pay percentiles for math professors
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
| 10th | $49,180 |
| 25th | $61,690 |
| 50th (median) | $79,940 |
| 75th | $105,000 |
| 90th | $139,340 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary (SOC 25-1022). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
BLS reports only annual wages for math 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 math professors
| State | Median annual | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| California | $130,680 | +63% |
| Delaware | $101,510 | +27% |
| Michigan | $99,330 | +24% |
| Rhode Island | $95,600 | +20% |
| Oregon | $91,770 | +15% |
| New Hampshire | $91,670 | +15% |
| New York | $87,230 | +9% |
| Minnesota | $85,570 | +7% |
| Washington | $85,560 | +7% |
| Massachusetts | $85,490 | +7% |
| United States | $79,940 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many math professors are there?
BLS counts about 47,670 math professors employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary”. The most jobs are in Texas (4,870), New York (4,080) and California (3,810).
The mean (average) annual wage is $91,550, higher than the median of $79,940.
Frequently asked questions
How much do math professors make an hour?
BLS publishes only annual wages for math professors, because most are paid a salary and work fewer than 2,080 hours a year. The median annual wage is $79,940.
Which state pays math professors the most?
California has the highest median wage for math professors at $130,680, +63% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for math professors?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of math professors earn less than $49,180 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.