How Much Does a Psychology Professor Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$80,340
Psychology professors in the U.S. earn a median of $80,340 a year. Half of psychology professors earn more than $80,340 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $153,600.
Pay percentiles for psychology professors
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
| 10th | $49,050 |
| 25th | $63,400 |
| 50th (median) | $80,340 |
| 75th | $105,920 |
| 90th | $153,600 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary (SOC 25-1066). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
BLS reports only annual wages for psychology 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 psychology professors
| State | Median annual | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| California | $107,340 | +34% |
| Delaware | $102,340 | +27% |
| Maryland | $101,430 | +26% |
| District of Columbia | $101,250 | +26% |
| New York | $100,720 | +25% |
| Michigan | $99,900 | +24% |
| North Dakota | $97,110 | +21% |
| New Hampshire | $95,030 | +18% |
| Rhode Island | $94,360 | +17% |
| Utah | $93,090 | +16% |
| United States | $80,340 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many psychology professors are there?
BLS counts about 41,530 psychology professors employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary”. The most jobs are in California (4,410), New York (4,070) and Texas (3,380).
The mean (average) annual wage is $93,860, higher than the median of $80,340.
Frequently asked questions
How much do psychology professors make an hour?
BLS publishes only annual wages for psychology professors, because most are paid a salary and work fewer than 2,080 hours a year. The median annual wage is $80,340.
Which state pays psychology professors the most?
California has the highest median wage for psychology professors at $107,340, +34% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for psychology professors?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of psychology professors earn less than $49,050 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.