For those with a passion for literature, a love of language, and a drive to educate, a career as an English professor can be incredibly rewarding. It’s a path dedicated to exploring the depths of human expression and guiding the next generation of critical thinkers. But beyond the intellectual fulfillment, what is the financial reality?
Understanding the salary potential is a crucial step in planning your academic career. The answer is complex, with earnings for English professors varying significantly. While the national median salary hovers around $80,720 per year, entry-level positions and senior, tenured roles occupy different ends of a wide spectrum that can range from approximately $43,000 to over $146,000 annually.
This guide will break down the data from authoritative sources to give you a clear and realistic picture of what you can expect to earn as an English professor and the key factors that will shape your income potential.
What Does an English Professor Do?
The role of an English professor extends far beyond lecturing on Shakespeare or grading essays. A modern academic career is typically built on three core pillars:
- Teaching: This is the most visible part of the job. It involves designing course syllabi, delivering lectures, leading seminars, facilitating class discussions, and providing constructive feedback on student work.
- Research and Scholarship: To advance in their careers and achieve tenure, professors are expected to be active scholars. This means conducting original research in their field of specialization, writing and publishing scholarly articles or books, and presenting their findings at academic conferences.
- Service: Professors contribute to the academic community by serving on departmental and university-wide committees, advising students, mentoring graduate students, and participating in the administrative functions of their institution.
Average English Professor Salary
When analyzing compensation, it's helpful to look at multiple data points to get a well-rounded view.
According to the most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), the median annual wage for postsecondary English language and literature teachers was $80,720 in May 2023.
The BLS data also highlights the broad range of potential earnings in the field:
- Lowest 10%: Earned less than $43,140
- 25th Percentile: $58,950
- 50th Percentile (Median): $80,720
- 75th Percentile: $109,240
- Highest 10%: Earned more than $146,380
Reputable salary aggregators offer similar insights. Salary.com places the median salary for an English Professor in the United States slightly lower at $75,271, but reports that the typical range falls between $60,432 and $122,869. Meanwhile, Glassdoor reports a total pay average of $89,951 per year, combining base salary and additional pay.
This variation underscores that an "average" salary is just a starting point. Your actual earnings will be determined by a combination of critical factors.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Your specific salary as an English professor will depend heavily on the following variables.
### Level of Education
In academia, your terminal degree is your primary qualification. For a tenure-track position at a four-year college or university, a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in English or a related field (like Comparative Literature or Rhetoric) is the standard and non-negotiable requirement. A Ph.D. is the gateway to higher-paying roles like Assistant, Associate, and Full Professor.
An individual with a Master of Arts (M.A.) may qualify for roles such as a lecturer, an instructor at a community college, or an adjunct professor. These positions are typically not on the tenure track and command lower salaries.
### Years of Experience
Experience in academia is directly tied to academic rank, which is the single most significant driver of salary growth. The career ladder has a clear and structured impact on earnings.
- Instructor / Lecturer: Often non-tenure-track positions held by individuals who may or may not have a Ph.D. They are primarily focused on teaching, and their salaries are at the lower end of the scale.
- Assistant Professor: This is the typical entry-level, tenure-track position for a Ph.D. graduate. According to data from Payscale, an early-career Assistant Professor can expect an average starting salary in the $65,000 - $75,000 range.
- Associate Professor: After approximately 5-7 years of successful teaching, research, and service, an Assistant Professor can apply for tenure and promotion to Associate Professor. Achieving tenure provides job security and a significant salary increase, often into the $75,000 - $95,000 range.
- Full Professor: This is the highest rank. It is achieved after many years of distinguished scholarship, teaching, and service. Full Professors are senior leaders in their department and command the highest salaries, often exceeding $100,000 and reaching well into the top 10% of earners.
### Geographic Location
Where you work matters. Salaries for English professors are often adjusted to the cost of living and are influenced by the concentration of universities in a region. According to BLS data, the top-paying states for postsecondary English teachers are:
1. California: Annual mean wage of $124,350
2. New York: Annual mean wage of $105,480
3. Rhode Island: Annual mean wage of $104,180
4. Massachusetts: Annual mean wage of $103,960
5. New Jersey: Annual mean wage of $99,780
Conversely, states with a lower cost of living and fewer major research institutions tend to offer lower average salaries.
### Institution Type
The type of institution you work for is a major determinant of your salary and job responsibilities.
- Private Research Universities (e.g., Ivy League, Stanford): These institutions typically offer the highest salaries. They have large endowments and place a heavy emphasis on research output, attracting top-tier faculty with competitive compensation packages.
- Public Research Universities (e.g., University of California, University of Michigan): These large state schools also offer competitive, often union-negotiated, salaries that are among the highest in the field.
- Liberal Arts Colleges (e.g., Amherst, Williams): These schools prioritize undergraduate teaching but still require faculty to be active scholars. Salaries are very competitive, though they may not reach the absolute highest levels of top-tier research universities.
- Community Colleges: These two-year institutions focus exclusively on teaching and associate degrees. Faculty positions generally require a Master's degree, and salaries are lower than at four-year institutions. The BLS notes the median salary for teachers at junior colleges is generally lower than at four-year colleges and universities.
### Area of Specialization
While English may seem like a monolithic field, certain sub-specialties can be in higher demand, potentially influencing hiring opportunities and, to a lesser extent, salary. For instance, specialists in Rhetoric and Composition are often in high demand to teach required first-year writing courses. Emerging fields like Digital Humanities, which blends literary analysis with computational methods, can also make a candidate more attractive to forward-thinking departments.
Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for all postsecondary teachers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2022 to 2032, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations.
However, it is critical to approach this statistic with a dose of realism. The academic job market, particularly for tenure-track positions in the humanities, is exceptionally competitive. Universities are increasingly relying on adjunct and non-tenure-track faculty to manage teaching loads. While positions are available, aspiring professors should be prepared for a rigorous and challenging job search.
Conclusion
A career as an English professor offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of ideas and make a lasting impact on students. While not one of the most lucrative professions, it provides a stable, professional income that grows steadily with experience and rank.
Here are the key takeaways for anyone considering this path:
- Median Salary: You can expect a median salary of around $80,720 per year, with significant upward potential.
- Ph.D. is Key: A Ph.D. is the essential credential for accessing the highest-paying, tenure-track roles.
- Rank Dictates Pay: Your salary will grow significantly as you advance from Assistant to Associate to Full Professor.
- Location and Institution Matter: Top salaries are found at prestigious universities in high-cost-of-living states like California and New York.
For those driven by a deep intellectual curiosity and a passion for teaching, the journey to becoming an English professor is a challenging but ultimately achievable goal, offering a career that is both financially sound and personally fulfilling.