Postsecondary Teachers earn $82,250 median salary – BLS 2024 data
Postsecondary teachers earn a median $82,250 per year, according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data. That works out to roughly $40 an hour, with the top 10% pulling in $177,070. The bottom 10% make $48,230.
With over 1.37 million people employed in the occupation, it's a large and varied field. Pay depends heavily on institution type, subject, and experience. Community college instructors earn less on average than tenured professors at research universities.
How much Postsecondary Teachers earn
The median annual wage for postsecondary teachers is $82,250. The mean wage is $103,470, or about $40 per hour. The bottom 10th percentile earns $48,230, while the top 10th percentile earns $177,070.
Individual earnings can vary widely. Adjunct faculty often earn per course and may make less than $30,000 annually. Full-time tenure-track professors at four-year institutions can earn well over $150,000 in fields like law, medicine, and business.
Pay by state
BLS does not provide state-level data for this occupation in this release. Salary tends to follow cost of living and state funding for higher education. Generally, the highest pay is in states with major research universities and high costs of living, like California, New York, and Massachusetts. Lower pay is common in the South and rural areas, but state-specific figures are not available here.
How to become Postsecondary Teacher
Most postsecondary teachers need a doctoral degree in their field, though a master's is sufficient for community colleges and some undergraduate teaching roles. For adjunct positions, a master's is typical; for tenure-track, a PhD or terminal degree is expected.
Steps include earning a bachelor's, then a master's or PhD. Many positions require teaching experience or a postdoctoral fellowship. Licenses are not typically required, but some fields—like nursing or law—need professional certification. Competition is fierce for tenure-track roles.
- Earn a bachelor's degree in your field.
- Complete a master's or doctoral program (PhD, EdD, etc.).
- Gain teaching experience as a teaching assistant, adjunct, or lecturer.
- Publish research for tenure-track positions.
- Apply to colleges and universities. Community colleges require less research.
Job outlook
Projected growth 2024–2034 is not available from BLS for this occupation. However, postsecondary teaching positions generally grow with enrollment. Competition for full-time tenure-track jobs is strong, especially in humanities. Adjunct and community college positions may have more openings but lower pay.
Frequently asked questions
Do postsecondary teachers need a PhD?
Not always. Community colleges and some adjunct positions only require a master's degree. For tenure-track at four-year universities, a PhD or terminal degree is usually required.
What is the highest paying state for postsecondary teachers?
BLS does not provide state-level data in this release, but historically, states with high costs of living and major research universities—like California, New York, and Massachusetts—tend to pay more.
How many postsecondary teachers are there in the US?
As of May 2024, BLS reports 1,370,560 people employed as postsecondary teachers in the United States.
Salary figures are U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates (OEWS / Employment Projections). For informational purposes only; not career or financial advice. See the full Postsecondary Teachers data.