When searching for salary information, specific queries like "Ohlone College Scott Fisher salary" often arise from a curiosity about the earning potential within a particular profession. While the salaries of public employees are often a matter of public record, a single data point doesn't tell the whole story. The more valuable question for aspiring professionals is: "What can I expect to earn as a professor at a community college?"
A career as a community college professor is a rewarding path that combines a passion for teaching with deep subject matter expertise. Financially, it offers a stable and competitive income, with salaries for experienced, full-time professors in high-demand areas often exceeding $150,000 per year in total compensation. This article will break down the salary, influencing factors, and job outlook for this vital academic role.
What Does a Community College Professor Do?
A community college professor is an educator and expert who instructs students at a two-year postsecondary institution. Their primary focus is on teaching and student success, rather than the heavy research demands often found at four-year universities. They play a crucial role in preparing students for transfer to four-year degrees, equipping them with vocational skills, and providing accessible higher education to the community.
Key responsibilities include:
- Developing and teaching courses within their area of specialization.
- Creating lesson plans, assignments, and exams.
- Grading student work and providing constructive feedback.
- Holding office hours to offer one-on-one student support.
- Serving on academic committees and participating in faculty governance.
- Staying current with developments in their field.
Average Community College Professor Salary
The salary for a community college professor can vary significantly, but we can establish a clear baseline using authoritative data.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for all postsecondary teachers was $84,380 in May 2023. However, this figure includes a wide range of institutions, from small rural colleges to major research universities.
For a more focused view, data from reputable salary aggregators provides a clearer picture for community college roles:
- Salary.com reports that the average salary for a Community College Professor in the United States typically falls between $77,157 and $131,310.
- Payscale notes a common range from $51,000 (for entry-level or adjunct positions) to over $110,000 for senior faculty.
It's important to note that many community colleges, especially public ones like Ohlone College, have transparent salary schedules based on education and years of service. For example, public records from sources like Transparent California show that full-time faculty in the California Community College system can earn base salaries from approximately $70,000 to well over $130,000, with total pay packages (including benefits) being even higher.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Your earning potential as a professor is not a single number but a range determined by several key factors.
### Level of Education
For most community college teaching positions, a Master's degree in the subject area is the minimum requirement. However, holding a Ph.D. or other terminal degree can place you at a higher step on the salary schedule from day one. This advanced credential signals a deeper level of expertise and can lead to a starting salary that is 5-15% higher than that of a candidate with a Master's degree.
### Years of Experience
Experience is one of the most significant drivers of salary growth. Community colleges typically have a "step and column" salary schedule.
- Adjunct/Part-Time Instructor: Paid per course or credit hour, often with limited benefits. This is a common entry point into the profession.
- Assistant Professor (Full-Time, Tenure-Track): An entry-level, full-time position with a starting salary on the lower end of the institutional scale.
- Associate Professor: After several years of successful teaching and service (typically 5-7), a professor can be promoted, receiving a significant salary increase.
- Full Professor: The highest rank, achieved after a long and distinguished record of service. These professors are at the top of the salary schedule and often have the highest earnings.
### Geographic Location
Where you work matters immensely. States and metropolitan areas with a higher cost of living and strong union representation tend to offer higher salaries.
For instance, the BLS reports that California is one of the top-paying states for postsecondary teachers. A professor at Ohlone College in Fremont, California—located in the high-cost San Francisco Bay Area—will almost certainly earn more than a professor in a similar role in a lower-cost state like Mississippi or Arkansas. While the nominal salary is higher, it must be balanced against the significantly higher cost of housing, taxes, and daily living.
### Institution Type
The type of institution plays a critical role. This article focuses on public community colleges like Ohlone, which are state-funded and often have unionized faculty with transparent, collectively bargained salary structures. In contrast:
- Private Community Colleges: May offer more flexibility in negotiating salary but might not have the same level of benefits or job security as public institutions.
- Four-Year Universities: Typically pay more, especially for research-focused, tenured faculty, but the job requirements (Ph.D., extensive publication record) are much more demanding.
### Area of Specialization
The principle of supply and demand heavily influences faculty salaries. Professors in high-demand, high-paying fields like Nursing, Engineering, Computer Science, and Biotechnology often command higher salaries than those in disciplines with a larger supply of qualified candidates, such as English or History. Community colleges must offer competitive wages to attract industry professionals to teach these technical subjects.
Job Outlook
The career outlook for postsecondary teachers is promising. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment in this field 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 and a continuous societal need for higher education and vocational training. However, it is important to be realistic. While the number of positions is growing, competition for full-time, tenure-track positions remains fierce. Many openings will be for part-time or adjunct faculty, which offer a valuable way to gain experience but provide less stability and lower pay.
Conclusion
A career as a community college professor offers the profound satisfaction of shaping minds and empowering students, backed by a solid and respectable salary. While a query about a specific professor's salary provides a starting point, the broader landscape reveals a profession with significant earning potential, especially for those who invest in their education and gain experience in high-demand fields.
For anyone considering this path, the key takeaways are:
- A Master's degree is the entry ticket, but a Ph.D. can increase your earning potential.
- Expect your salary to grow significantly with experience and promotion through academic ranks.
- Location and teaching discipline are major factors; high-cost areas and STEM/healthcare fields pay more.
- The job outlook is strong, but landing a full-time, tenure-track role requires persistence and a competitive C.V.
By understanding these dynamics, you can strategically plan your academic journey and build a successful and financially rewarding career in higher education.