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Short answer: full professors averaged $163,836 in 2025-26, associate professors $113,427 and assistant professors $97,232 , according to the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). Where you teach matters almost as much as your rank: average faculty pay ranges from $68,170 in Arkansas to $126,502 in Massachusetts . Hover over the map to see your state. By the AcademicCareers.com editorial team · Updated October 14,...

Short answer: as of October 2026, 14 states and the District of Columbia require a pay range in job ads, and in most of them the rules reach colleges and universities. Connecticut joined on October 1, 2026, and Delaware follows on September 26, 2027 . Nevada and Rhode Island require the range only after an interview or on request. Hover over the map for each state's rules. By the AcademicCareers.com editorial team · Updated October 14,...

Short answer: adjunct professors were paid an average of $4,093 for a standard three-credit course in 2024-25, according to the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), and CUPA-HR's median was $1,166 per credit hour, or $3,498 a course . The 2026-27 pay scales published by 28 colleges on our map run from $1,485 to $12,201 per course. Hover over the map to see examples from your state. By the AcademicCareers.com editorial...

Short answer: the National Institutes of Health (NIH) sets the benchmark: $63,480 a year for a new postdoc on one of its training grants or fellowships, rising to $77,076 with seven or more years of experience. Many universities pay more; the University of California's minimum for a new postdoc rose to $71,491 on October 1, 2026. Benefits and taxes depend on whether you are hired as an employee or paid as a fellow. By the...

Short answer: negotiate once you have the offer in writing and before you accept. Ask for a few specific things, give a reason for each, and get every agreement into the final letter. Assistant professors averaged $97,232 in 2025-26, according to the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), and average faculty pay runs from $68,170 in Arkansas to $126,502 in Massachusetts . Start-up funds, teaching load and the tenure clock...