The Average U.S. Salary for College Professors
College professors are instrumental in training students into specific disciplines of thought, providing the information necessary to succeed in various industries. Because the information professors give is at a more complex level, they generally are paid higher salaries than other teachers. However, there is a wide variance in pay depending on rank, institution and field, as well as experience and location.
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Average Salary
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The average salary for full-time professors is $79,439, according to a 2008 to 2009 survey by the American Association of University Professors, says the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, the lowest 10th percentile of workers average less than $28,870 based on 2008 bureau data. The 90th percentile showed an average of $121,850.
Pay by Rank
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Pay increases with experience. Professors may be assistant professors, associate professors or regular professors. Assistant professors earn $63,827 a year on average, according to the AAUP survey. Associate professors make $76,147, while regular professors command $108,749.
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Compensation by Institution
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AAUP found variances in pay depending on where professors work. Professors make the least in colleges and universities with religious affiliations, earning $71,857. Public institutions offer the next-best salary of $77,009 a year. Full-time professors do best in private facilities, earning an average of $92,257. Four-year institutions offer better salaries than two-year facilities.
Pay by Field
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Subject area affects compensation. In general, health, science, engineering and math teachers earn more than humanities and education professors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies professors into 38 separate categories, including graduate assistants, based on subject area. Each of these categories has its own range and average. Out of all postsecondary teachers, math professors have the highest average, earning $109,150 a year. Health specialties professors follow closely behind with $103,340. Graduate assistants and vocational professors earn the least, with salaries of $32,770 and $52,030, respectively.
Considerations
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Regardless of specialty, professors often get perks that add value to their job. For instance, they may get free or reduced tuition at the college where they are employed. Other benefits might include access to all campus resources, including fitness centers, libraries and computer laboratories.
Additionally, with online education becoming more accepted as of 2011, professors no longer are limited to teaching on campus. If desired, they can teach additional classes on their own or through another institution for extra income.
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References
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