An academic career as a professor offers a unique blend of intellectual pursuit, mentorship, and research that can shape the future. But beyond the passion for a subject, a crucial question for anyone considering this path is about compensation. A career in academia is not only intellectually fulfilling but can also be financially stable and rewarding, with average salaries for assistant and associate professors ranging from approximately $70,000 to well over $120,000 annually, contingent on several critical factors we'll explore below.
This guide provides a data-driven look at what you can expect to earn as an assistant or associate professor, helping you navigate your potential career in higher education.
What Does an Assistant or Associate Professor Do?
Before diving into the numbers, it's essential to understand the roles. Assistant and associate professorships are two key steps on the "tenure track" at most colleges and universities.
- Assistant Professor: This is the entry-level, probationary rank for a tenure-track academic. Hired after completing a Ph.D. or another terminal degree, an assistant professor typically spends 5-7 years in this role.
- Associate Professor: After a rigorous review of their teaching, research, and service, an assistant professor can be promoted to associate professor and granted tenure. Tenure provides a significant degree of job security and academic freedom.
The core responsibilities for both roles are generally divided into three areas:
1. Teaching: Developing and delivering undergraduate and/or graduate courses, mentoring students, and grading assignments.
2. Research/Scholarship: Conducting original research, writing and publishing scholarly articles or books, presenting at conferences, and often securing grant funding.
3. Service: Contributing to the academic community by serving on departmental or university-wide committees, advising student groups, and participating in professional organizations.
The primary difference is that an associate professor is expected to have a more established record of scholarship and takes on a greater leadership role within the department and university.
Average Assistant and Associate Professor Salary
Salary in academia is highly dependent on rank. As expected, an associate professor who has achieved tenure earns more than an entry-level assistant professor.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for all postsecondary teachers was $80,840 in May 2022. However, this figure aggregates all professor ranks, fields, and institution types. More specific data reveals the difference between ranks.
The most authoritative source for faculty compensation is the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). Their *Annual Report on the Economic Status of the Profession* for 2022-23 found the following average salaries:
- Average Assistant Professor Salary: $85,064
- Average Associate Professor Salary: $99,139
Salary aggregators provide a look at the typical ranges:
- Salary.com reports that the typical range for an Assistant Professor in the U.S. falls between $72,593 and $94,920.
- For an Associate Professor, Salary.com shows a common range of $86,227 to $110,643.
These figures represent a national baseline. Your personal earning potential will be shaped by the factors below.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Not all professorships are created equal. Compensation can vary dramatically based on a combination of factors, from your field of study to the type of institution that employs you.
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Years of Experience and Rank
Experience is the most straightforward factor. The progression from assistant to associate professor represents a significant pay increase, reflecting about 5-7 years of dedicated work and the achievement of tenure. Even within a rank, a senior assistant professor in their 5th year will generally earn more than one in their 1st year. The promotion to "Full Professor," the highest rank, brings another substantial salary jump, often exceeding $135,000 on average, according to the AAUP.
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Level of Education
For nearly all tenure-track assistant professor positions, a terminal degree is a non-negotiable requirement. In most fields (sciences, humanities, social sciences), this is a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). In other disciplines, it may be a different terminal degree, such as a Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) for creative writing or studio art, or a Juris Doctor (J.D.) for law professors. This advanced degree is the baseline qualification for the salary ranges discussed in this article.
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Geographic Location
Where you work matters. States with a higher cost of living and a concentration of major research universities tend to offer higher salaries. According to BLS data, the top-paying states for postsecondary teachers include:
- California
- New York
- Massachusetts
- New Jersey
- Washington
Conversely, states with a lower cost of living may offer lower nominal salaries, but your purchasing power could be comparable. It's crucial to weigh salary offers against the local cost of living.
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Institution Type
This is one of the most significant factors influencing salary. The resources, mission, and funding model of an institution directly impact its compensation structure.
- Public vs. Private: According to the AAUP, average salaries at private, independent universities ($118,527 for associates) are considerably higher than at public universities ($96,626 for associates).
- Carnegie Classification (Research vs. Teaching Focus): Universities are often classified by their research activity. Doctoral/Research Universities (often called R1 or R2) have the highest salaries because of their intense focus on research and grant acquisition. Baccalaureate colleges (often liberal arts schools) and Master's universities, which prioritize teaching, typically have lower salary scales.
- Community Colleges: Two-year community colleges offer a different career path, focused almost exclusively on teaching. Salaries here are generally lower than at four-year institutions.
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Area of Specialization
Your academic discipline plays a massive role in your earning potential, driven largely by market demand outside of academia. Fields where professionals can earn high salaries in the private sector must offer competitive compensation to attract top talent.
Data from the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR) consistently shows this trend.
- High-Paying Fields: Law, Business, Engineering, Computer Science, and Health Sciences (e.g., nursing, medicine) command the highest academic salaries. It's not uncommon for an assistant professor in business or law to earn more than a tenured associate professor in the humanities.
- Lower-Paying Fields: The Humanities (English, History, Philosophy), Social Sciences, and Fine Arts typically have the lowest salary scales.
For example, an assistant professor of finance might earn over $150,000, while an assistant professor of history at the same institution might earn $75,000.
Job Outlook
The future for aspiring professors is promising, though competitive. The BLS projects that employment of postsecondary teachers will grow 8 percent from 2022 to 2032, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.
This growth is driven by rising student enrollment in colleges and universities. However, it's important to note that the academic job market is highly competitive. While there is overall growth, many positions are part-time (adjunct) or non-tenure track. Securing a full-time, tenure-track position requires an exceptional academic record, a strong research profile, and perseverance.
Conclusion
Choosing a career as an assistant or associate professor is a commitment to a life of learning and contribution. While the path is challenging, it offers significant rewards, both intellectually and financially.
Key Takeaways:
- Clear Progression: The academic ladder provides a clear path for salary growth, with a significant increase upon promotion from Assistant to Associate Professor.
- Average Earnings are Strong: An Assistant Professor can expect to earn around $85,000 on average, while an Associate Professor earns closer to $100,000.
- Your Choices Matter: Your ultimate salary is heavily influenced by your field of study, the type of institution you work for (private research universities pay the most), and your geographic location.
For those passionate about their subject and dedicated to research and teaching, a professorship offers a stable, well-compensated career with the profound opportunity to make a lasting impact.