Average Salaries of College Professors

Average salaries of college professors have beenprofessors at public academic institutions, and
trending upward. The rate of increase in the$131,232 for those at private institutions, which is
income of college professors has not beena difference of 22.6% between the lowest and
dramatic although it has been keeping up orhighest institutions.
slightly beating the inflation rate. The averageThe range in college professor salaries is actually
salary of a college professor has risen 4.4%, inmore dramatic than this appears. Some
the period from 1986 through 2005. This is low inchurch-related institutions pay their full professors
contrast for the increase of income for othera paltry salary ranging from only $28,000 to
occupations that employ highly educated people.$46,300. The top pay for the top faculty rank
For this time period, the American Association ofranges from $115,400 to $172,800 per year at
University Professors (AAUP) compared facultytop liberal arts and research institutions,
salaries with those of other professions thatrespectively.
employ highly educated people. In the period fromThe data suggest the average salaries of college
1986 through 2005, real salaries for collegeprofessors has not been increasing at the same
professors increased by 0.27%. In comparison,rate as that for other professions that require
the real increase for engineers was 4.68%, forhighly educated employees. Faculty salaries can
lawyers it was 17.73%, and for physicians it wasvary greatly depending on such factors as the
34.41%.degree, the academic rank, and the type of
However, salaries vary depending on collegeacademic institution. Even if initial academic salaries
degree, academic rank, and type of college. Inare not very high, they tend to dramatically
2006, the average salary ranged from a low ofincrease with an increase in academic rank at
$55,941 for faculty holding the baccalaureatemost institutions.
degree in private church-related to a high ofIt is within your ability to make a 6-figure income
$74,299 for those holding the doctoral degree ata year as a part-time professor. Unfortunately,
private independent institutions. This is a 24.7%the road to success is filled with obstacles for
difference in annual salary for college professors.those who don't know how its done. Frustration
The annual salaries of full professors holdingand ultimate failure is the hard reality for most
doctorates at various types of institutions variedwho try to attain this income level as an adjunct
greatly. It was $113,740 for professors in privateprofessor. Fortunately, there is an easier way to
church-related schools, $101,620 for fullachieve success.