How much does a professor make in the United States?
This is the median gross salary: half earn more and half earn less. That is $7,005 a month.
- Approx. take-home per month
- $5,640
- Compared with the median pay in the United States
- 1.6 times
- Data from
- 2025
Where the United States ranks among 144 countries
Each line is a country, on a log scale from $100 to $200,000 a year.
In other countries
Median gross salary a year, in dollars.
| 1. Switzerland estimate | $110,100 |
| 2. Luxembourg estimate | $90,410 |
| 3. United States | $84,060 |
| 4. Iceland estimate | $78,790 |
| 144. Nigeria estimate | $395 |
Similar jobs
Professionals
- Vocational teacher$65,030
- High school teacher$72,040
- Elementary school teacher$64,090
- Preschool teacher$42,690
- Education officer$77,440
- Special needs teacher$68,620
- Esol teacher$47,310
- Music teacher$46,800
By state
Median gross salary a year.
| District of Columbia | $111,800 |
| California | $110,600 |
| Delaware | $109,600 |
| Massachusetts | $103,400 |
| Hawaii | $98,580 |
| Colorado | $97,180 |
| Vermont | $96,040 |
| Utah | $95,500 |
| Washington | $95,070 |
| New York | $94,280 |
See all 51 states
| Missouri | $93,730 |
| Connecticut | $93,370 |
| Alaska | $92,840 |
| Maryland | $91,990 |
| Iowa | $89,610 |
| Minnesota | $89,100 |
| Rhode Island | $89,090 |
| Virginia | $88,540 |
| Oregon | $88,200 |
| New Mexico | $87,940 |
| Louisiana | $87,850 |
| Maine | $86,430 |
| North Dakota | $85,380 |
| Texas | $85,350 |
| Pennsylvania | $84,860 |
| New Hampshire | $83,210 |
| Mississippi | $83,020 |
| New Jersey | $82,940 |
| Tennessee | $82,170 |
| Indiana | $81,100 |
| North Carolina | $79,850 |
| Montana | $79,540 |
| Georgia | $79,530 |
| Wisconsin | $78,320 |
| Alabama | $78,240 |
| Idaho | $77,060 |
| Nebraska | $76,820 |
| Nevada | $76,320 |
| Ohio | $75,860 |
| Michigan | $75,340 |
| Kansas | $74,480 |
| Arizona | $74,180 |
| Illinois | $73,640 |
| South Carolina | $72,530 |
| Wyoming | $71,540 |
| Kentucky | $71,330 |
| West Virginia | $69,570 |
| Oklahoma | $69,500 |
| South Dakota | $67,330 |
| Florida | $65,820 |
| Arkansas | $64,540 |
Jobs in this group in the United States
Official name of each one and its median salary a year.
| Health Specialties Teacher | $107,300 |
| Teaching Assistant | $42,910 |
| Postsecondary Teacher | $77,640 |
| Art | $78,620 |
| Business Teacher | $99,080 |
| Nursing Instructor and Teacher | $80,250 |
| Education Teacher | $75,350 |
| English Language and Literature Teacher | $78,760 |
| Biological Science Teacher | $84,620 |
| Mathematical Science Teacher | $79,940 |
| Psychology Teacher | $80,340 |
| Engineering Teacher | $109,300 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a professor make a month in the United States?
The median gross salary is $7,005 a month, $84,060 a year.
How much does a professor make starting out and with experience?
The lowest-paid 10%, usually people starting out, make around $48,300 a year; the top 10%, with experience or senior roles, make more than $177,400.
Which country pays a professor the most?
United States, with a median of $84,060 a year before tax, according to our data.
Which state pays a professor the most?
District of Columbia, with a median of $111,800 a year.
Does a professor make more in the United States or in Germany?
In the United States: $84,060 a year against $76,780 in Germany, 1.1 times more.
Who makes more, a professor or a vocational teacher?
A professor: $84,060 a year against $65,030 for a vocational teacher, 1.3 times more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS survey, 2025. How we calculate