Question 1

How much does a College Professor make?

Accepted Answer

The national median salary for a College Professor is $82,250, with a typical range from $48,230 (entry level, 10th percentile) to $177,070 (top earners, 90th percentile). Actual pay varies by city, industry, employer size, and experience.

Question 2

What is the entry-level salary for a College Professor?

Accepted Answer

Entry-level College Professor positions typically pay around $48,230 to $64,155, depending on metro, industry, and degree. New graduates can expect the lower end of this range; those with relevant internships or in-demand specializations often start higher.

Question 3

How much does a senior College Professor earn?

Accepted Answer

Senior College Professor professionals earn approximately $111,038 on average, with top performers and those at large employers exceeding $177,070. Senior pay is driven by scope, leadership, technical depth, and employer choice.

Question 4

Which cities pay the most for a College Professor?

Accepted Answer

College Professor pay is highest in major metros — typically San Francisco, New York, Seattle, Boston, Toronto, and Vancouver. After adjusting for cost of living, however, mid-tier metros often deliver higher purchasing power. Use the SalaryScope city tools to compare apples-to-apples.

Question 5

What education is required to become a College Professor?

Accepted Answer

The typical education path for a College Professor is Doctoral degree. Relevant certifications, portfolios, and demonstrated skills can sometimes substitute for traditional credentials, especially in technical and trades roles.

Question 6

Is College Professor a growing career?

Accepted Answer

The 10-year employment outlook for College Professor is rated Average. SalaryScope combines federal projections with industry, automation-risk, and demand signals to produce a more precise Workforce Opportunity Score for this role.

Question 7

How can I increase my pay as a College Professor?

Accepted Answer

The highest-leverage ways to increase your College Professor pay are: (1) developing in-demand specializations that command a premium, (2) earning ROI-positive certifications, (3) switching employers strategically every 3-5 years, (4) negotiating every offer and review, and (5) considering geographic moves to higher-pay or lower-cost metros.

Question 8

What is the total compensation for a College Professor?

Accepted Answer

Total compensation for a College Professor includes base salary ($82,250 at median), an annual bonus (typically 5-25% of base), and at many employers equity (RSUs or options). Total comp can range from 1.05x to 1.5x of base depending on industry, level, and employer.

Percentile	What it means	Salary
10th percentile	1 in 10 earn less than this	$48,230
25th percentile	1 in 4 earn less than this	$62,500
Median	Half earn more, half earn less	$82,250
75th percentile	1 in 4 earn more than this	$125,700
90th percentile	1 in 10 earn more than this	$177,070

City	COL	Median	p90
New York, NY	187	$82,250	$177,070
Los Angeles, CA	176	$82,250	$177,070
Chicago, IL	107	$82,250	$177,070
Houston, TX	96	$82,250	$177,070
Phoenix, AZ	104	$82,250	$177,070
Philadelphia, PA	101	$82,250	$177,070
San Antonio, TX	90	$82,250	$177,070
San Diego, CA	160	$82,250	$177,070
Dallas, TX	103	$82,250	$177,070
San Jose, CA	202	$82,250	$177,070
Austin, TX	119	$82,250	$177,070
Jacksonville, FL	93	$82,250	$177,070

Education level	Estimated salary	vs Bachelor's
High School	$82,000	-30%
Associate Degree	$96,000	-18%
Bachelor's Degree	$118,000	—
Master's Degree	$147,000	25%
Doctorate / Professional	$182,000	55%
Professional Certifications	$132,000	12%

College Professor — Career & Salary Intelligence

Career overview

What the job pays nationally

Salary by location

Salary by education

10-year career growth forecast

Certifications that increase earnings

Career Opportunity Score breakdown

Frequently asked questions about College Professor